(Picture Courtesy: Facebook)

CHENNAI: Madras high court on Friday directed the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) to grant a censor certificate for the theatrical release of the Tamil movie Jana Nayagan, starring actor Vijay. Justice PT Asha also set aside the decision of the CBFC chairperson to refer the film to the revising committee and directed the board to grant a ‘UA 16+’ certificate to the movie. The court passed the order on a plea filed by KVN Production LLP, which sought directions for the CBFC to issue a certificate for the film’s theatrical release, originally scheduled for January 9. The producer contended that the board was delaying the issuance of the certificate, even though the film had been submitted for certification on December 18 and all recommended modifications had been made. Additional Solicitor General A.R.L. Sundaresan, appearing for the CBFC, submitted that one of the five committee members who watched the film had raised a complaint, stating that his objections were not considered before the committee recommended a ‘UA 16+’ certificate. In view of this complaint, the CBFC chairperson referred the film to the revising committee by exercising powers under the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, he added. Opposing this contention, senior advocate Satish Parasaran, representing the producer, questioned why undue importance was given to the objection of a single committee member, while the majority had decided in favor of issuing a certificate. He further pointed out that as many as 27 modifications had been made to the movie in accordance with the board’s recommendations for granting a ‘UA 16+’ certificate. “The producer invested Rs 500 crore, and it cannot be treated so lightly,” he added.