Delhi: A fresh political and cultural debate has erupted after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi openly supported the Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan, criticising the Union government over delays in the film’s certification. Gandhi accused the Centre of interfering with creative expression and described the move as an assault on Tamil identity and cultural freedom.
Reacting to the Central Board of Film Certification’s decision to withhold clearance, Gandhi said attempts to silence artistic voices from Tamil Nadu would not succeed. He asserted that the people of the state have a strong cultural and democratic tradition that cannot be curbed through administrative pressure.
The controversy began when the CBFC paused the certification process, citing concerns that certain scenes in the film could offend religious sentiments. This decision prompted the filmmakers to approach the judiciary. Initially, the Madras High Court offered relief when a single-judge bench directed the censor board to issue a U/A 16+ certificate to the film.
However, the situation took a new turn after a division bench of the same court stayed that order, effectively halting the certification once again. Challenging this setback, the film’s producers, KVN Productions LLP, have now moved the Supreme Court seeking urgent interim relief.
In their plea before the apex court, the producers have requested a temporary suspension of the High Court’s stay order, arguing that the delay has caused significant harm and uncertainty. They have also urged the Supreme Court to grant any additional relief deemed appropriate to allow the film’s release process to move forward.
