In a major setback for Thalapathy Vijay's final film Jana Nayagan, a Division Bench of the Madras High Court has set aside the earlier order by a single judge directing the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to grant a U/A (or U/A 16+) certificate forthwith.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava (also referred to as M.M. Srivatsava) and Justice G. Arul Murugan (or G. Arulmurugan), delivered the verdict on January 27, 2026. The court allowed the CBFC's appeal, observing that the single judge (Justice P.T. Asha) had passed the order on January 9, 2026, without providing adequate opportunity to the CBFC to file a detailed counter-affidavit or properly present its case, stressing the importance of procedural fairness and natural justice.

The matter has now been remanded back to the single judge for fresh consideration. Importantly, the producers (KVN Productions) have been granted liberty to amend their original writ petition/prayer. Following any amendments, the CBFC will be given time to file its counter-affidavit, after which both parties will be heard afresh before a new decision is pronounced.

This development follows a turbulent timeline for the film:

• The political drama, directed by H. Vinoth and also starring Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, and others, with music by Anirudh Ravichander, was submitted to the CBFC in December 2025.
• An examining committee initially recommended U/A with 14 cuts, but the CBFC later referred it to a Revising Committee amid complaints (including potential issues hurting sentiments), delaying certification.
• With a planned Pongal release on January 9, 2026, missing the deadline, producers approached the High Court.
• On January 9, the single judge quashed the referral and ordered immediate U/A certification.
• Hours later, the Division Bench stayed the order on the CBFC's urgent appeal.
• Producers moved the Supreme Court, which declined interim relief on January 15/16, 2026, and directed expeditious disposal by the Madras High Court.
• Arguments were heard on January 20, 2026, with orders reserved until today's pronouncement.

No release has been permitted or definitively blocked, but the remand resets the process, further delaying Vijay's cinematic swan song amid his transition to full-time politics with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections. The prolonged uncertainty continues to impact bookings/promotions, and expectations for a potential February release window.

The ruling underscores ongoing debates about film certification timelines, CBFC procedures, and judicial oversight in certification disputes.