The release of actor-politician Vijay’s much-awaited film Jana Nayagan has hit another hurdle, with fresh reports indicating it will not arrive in theatres before April 30. The delay comes as the film remains embroiled in a legal tussle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), further clouding its release prospects ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Another setback for Jana Nayagan
Canadian distributor York Cinemas confirmed via social media that the film will not be released before April 30, urging customers to seek refunds for advance bookings if needed. The statement assured loyal members priority booking access once a new release date is announced.
The announcement disappointed fans, many of whom questioned whether the update had been officially endorsed by the film’s production team. Some speculated whether the film could now release in May or June.
With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled to begin in April, the latest development makes a pre-election release increasingly unlikely.
Film stuck in certification battle
Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan was initially slated for a January 9 theatrical release. The project is widely billed as Vijay’s final film before his full-fledged political plunge with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
However, the film became entangled in a certification dispute with the CBFC.
On January 27, a division bench of the Madras High Court set aside an earlier single-judge order that had directed the CBFC to certify the film. The bench observed that the board should have been given time to file its response and sent the matter back for reconsideration.
In February, production house KVN Productions withdrew its petition seeking directions to the CBFC to issue a censor certificate. This move effectively allowed the revising committee to take over the certification process after nearly a month of legal back-and-forth.
As of now, the film remains uncertified, and neither the CBFC nor the producers have issued further public comments.
Cast and background
Apart from Vijay, the film features Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, and Mamitha Baiju, along with Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Narain, and Priyamani in key roles.
Jana Nayagan is reportedly a remake of the 2023 Telugu hit Bhagavanth Kesari.
With certification still pending and elections fast approaching, the film’s release timeline remains uncertain, leaving fans awaiting clarity on what is expected to be a pivotal project in Vijay’s career.
