Jana Nayagan starring actor-politician Vijay in the lead is a Tamil film that was supposed to release on January 9, 2025 as the Kollywood star's last movie before his political debut. However the TVK leader's farewell was cut short, when the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India decided to send Jana Nayagan to a revising committee, resulting in a certification delay, a tense legal battle, and indefinite postponement of the film.
Jana Nayagan marks the Tamil debut of Kannada film producer Venkat K. Narayana who has invested Rs. 500 Cr. in the movie. Last evening, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin extended moral support to the KVN Productions founder, by calling out the BJP-center rule for weaponizing the CBFC.
#CBI, #ED, #IT வரிசையில் சென்சார் போர்டும் ஒன்றிய பா.ஜ.க. அரசின் புதிய ஆயுதமாக மாறியுள்ளது. கடுமையான கண்டனங்கள்!#CBFC
— M.K.Stalin - தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) January 9, 2026
— KVN Productions (@KvnProductions) January 9, 2026
Now, Rajya Sabha MP and veteran star actor cum filmmaker Kamal Haasan has weighed in on the Jana Nayagan censor row. Framing the issue as one that goes far beyond a single film or its release timeline, Kamal Haasan in a strongly worded yet principled letter dated January 10, 2026, underscored that the situation reflects the broader space afforded to art and artists within India’s constitutional democracy.
Invoking the Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of expression, Kamal Haasan stressed that creativity must be guided by reason and transparency, not curtailed by opacity. He highlighted that cinema is a collective enterprise—sustained not just by stars and directors, but by writers, technicians, exhibitors and countless small businesses whose livelihoods hinge on a fair and timely certification process.
The absence of clarity, Haasan warned, has ripple effects: creative freedom is restricted, economic activity is stalled, and public trust in institutions is eroded. Emphasizing the cultural maturity of Tamil Nadu and Indian cinema audiences, Kamal Haasan noted that film lovers deserve openness, respect and accountability from regulatory mechanisms.
For Art, For Artists, For the Constitution pic.twitter.com/sOrlOOLFtv
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) January 10, 2026
Calling for a systemic reform, Kamal Haasan has advocated for a principled relook at the film certification process, urging the introduction of defined timelines, transparent evaluation methods, and written, reasoned justifications for every suggested cut or modification. Such measures, he argued, are essential to ensure fairness and consistency.
Kamal Haasan also viewed the Jana Nayagan episode as a crucial moment for the film industry to unite and engage in constructive dialogue with government institutions. According to Haasan, meaningful reform will not only safeguard creative freedom but also reinforce constitutional values and strengthen democratic institutions by reaffirming trust in artists and the people they speak to through their work.