Jana Nayagan Censor Dispute Revives Scrutiny of Vijay's Film Career

The delay surrounding Jana Nayagan has once again placed Thalapathy Vijay’s cinema at the center of political debate. As of today, the release of Jana Nayagan, Vijay’s final film before fully stepping into politics, has been indefinitely postponed due to an ongoing legal fight over its certification.

The Madras High Court has intervened, while Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin accused the Central Board of Film Certification of acting as a “weapon” of the Union BJP-led government, turning the issue into a national talking point.

From an industry lens, this episode is not an exception. Vijay’s filmography shows a recurring trend where political pressure continues even after censor approvals. While only 2013’s Thalaivaa saw its release formally postponed, several of his films have faced protests before or after hitting theaters, often driven by political sensitivities rather than content alone.

Thalaivaa, despite CBFC clearance, was delayed after theater owners cited “law and order issues,” eventually releasing a week later following court intervention and talks with the then AIADMK government. In 2014, Kaththi ran into protests ahead of release over the producers’ alleged business links with former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

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Key Highlights:

• Jana Nayagan remains stalled in a legal battle over certification, with political leaders trading charges as the Madras High Court steps in.
• Vijay’s film career shows a clear pattern where political resistance continues even after CBFC clearance, cutting across party lines.
• The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has, for the first time, extended police protection to Vijay while backing the timely release of Jana Nayagan.

Vijay’s Mersal sparked backlash in 2017 for dialogues criticizing GST, demonetisation, and public healthcare, drawing sharp reactions from BJP leaders without any post-release cuts. The controversy intensified again with Sarkar in 2018, where both AIADMK and DMK objected to scenes on “freebie politics,” leading to muted dialogues despite prior certification.

Amid the Jana Nayagan row, the DMK-led government has, for the first time, provided police protection to Vijay while supporting the film’s release. For the film industry, the message is clear: when it comes to Vijay, certification is rarely the final challenge.