Hyderabad, January 18, 2026 – The Telugu and Tamil cinema industries are abuzz with an unprecedented legal and creative battle surrounding the much-awaited film 'Jana Nayagan'. Starring Kollywood superstar Thalapathy Vijay and pan-Indian sensation Pooja Hegde, the film's Republic Day release hangs precariously in the balance, caught in an explosive censor board dispute that has now seen the Supreme Court step back, deferring the matter to the Madras High Court.
Sources confirm that the Supreme Court, on Thursday, January 15, 2026, unequivocally declined to intervene in the certification and release controversy surrounding 'Jana Nayagan'. This pivotal decision means the onus is now entirely on a division bench of the Madras High Court to resolve the high-stakes issue, with the apex court urging a resolution by January 20, 2026.
The drama began when 'Jana Nayagan', widely perceived as Vijay's final cinematic outing before a full-fledged plunge into politics, faced unexpected roadblocks from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Initially, the film received a certification recommendation from the CBFC's examining committee after the producers agreed to implement certain suggested cuts. However, in a startling turn, the chairperson later referred the movie to a revising committee following an objection that reportedly raised concerns over "certain content." This unprecedented move triggered the legal challenge that has now escalated to the highest echelons of the Indian judiciary.
Actor Jason Shah, a part of the 'Jana Nayagan' ensemble cast, candidly addressed the controversy, hinting at underlying political and religious angles. He expressed frustration over "persistent negative campaigns" targeting the film and remarked, "But religion and politics always have something to do with movies. Whoever is voted in as the ruling party, they have been given the country in their hands to decide what happens." These comments have ignited a furious debate on social media, with fans and industry insiders divided on the implications for artistic freedom and the influence of external forces on cinema.
The producers of 'Jana Nayagan' had initially approached the Supreme Court seeking urgent intervention, arguing that the delay in certification was causing "serious injury" given the time-sensitive nature of film release schedules and massive promotional investments. However, the Supreme Court observed that since the Madras High Court division bench was already seized of the matter and had scheduled a further hearing for January 20, there was "no occasion" for the apex court to bypass the High Court process at this stage.
Tamil actor Mahendran also weighed in, criticizing the move to stall the film's release as being "against India's strong tradition of freedom of speech." He questioned the rationale behind blocking the entire film, suggesting that if specific visuals or defence emblems were the issue, blurring those scenes could have been an alternative. Mahendran further asserted that Vijay would never create a film that corrupts society and that an experienced crew would not have shot anything objectionable in the first place.
The fate of 'Jana Nayagan', featuring a stellar cast including Prakash Raj, Gautham Vasudev Menon, and Priyamani alongside Vijay and Pooja Hegde, now rests squarely on the Madras High Court's decision by January 20. The entire industry, along with millions of eager fans, is holding its breath, waiting to see if this cinematic juggernaut will finally get its green light for a Republic Day celebration or face further delays. The ongoing legal tussle has undoubtedly become the hottest, most talked-about topic in Telugu and Tamil cinema right now, highlighting the intricate dance between art, law, and politics.
