CBFC cancels ‘JanaNayagan’ re-certification screening at last minute, politics shadows Vijay’s big release

The re-certification process of the Tamil film JanaNayagan hit an unexpected hurdle on Monday after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) cancelled the scheduled revising committee screening at the last minute, deepening the political drama surrounding the project starring Vijay .

The film was scheduled to be screened before the CBFC’s Revising Committee at 2 pm on March 9 as part of its re-certification process. However, the screening was called off shortly before it began after one of the committee members reportedly fell ill , forcing officials to postpone the review to another day. Under CBFC procedures, the screening cannot proceed unless the full committee constituted for the evaluation is present.

The sudden cancellation has added to the growing controversy around the film, which has already been caught in a political spat following Vijay’s entry into active politics. The actor launched his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam , and the political tone of JanaNayagan has triggered debate in Tamil Nadu’s political circles.

Directed by H. Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions , the film also stars Pooja Hegde and Bobby Deol . The project has generated enormous attention as it is widely expected to be Vijay’s final film before he fully shifts focus to his political career.

The controversy intensified amid reports of a growing political rivalry between Vijay and M. K. Stalin , the leader of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government. Critics and political observers argue that delays affecting such a high-profile film could have wider implications beyond cinema.

Some industry voices believe repeated certification delays could affect the film’s financial prospects and disrupt the political momentum around Vijay. A major theatrical release can generate significant revenue and public visibility, and a prolonged delay may limit the impact the film could have had among fans and supporters at a time when Vijay’s political campaign is beginning to take shape.

Originally slated for a Pongal 2026 release , the film was delayed after it failed to secure certification in time. The producers later approached the Madras High Court over the delay before opting for a review by the Central Board of Film Certification ’s revising committee.

With Monday’s screening postponed after a committee member fell ill, the makers must now await a new review date. Until the committee clears JanaNayagan , the release of one of the year’s most closely watched Tamil films remains uncertain, even as political debate around the project intensifies.