Chennai, 13 January (H.S.) : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has extended his firm support to actor-turned-politician Vijay after his highly anticipated upcoming film, JANA NAYAGAN, encountered significant hurdles regarding its theatrical certification.

In a strong statement released on Tuesday, Gandhi described the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s alleged attempts to block the film as a direct attack on Tamil culture.

He asserted that the central government would never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people through such administrative interferences, framing the cinematic controversy as a broader struggle for cultural and linguistic pride.

This public endorsement marks a recurring trend of the Congress leader standing in solidarity with the actor during sensitive periods. Authorities noted that Gandhi had previously supported Vijay in 2017 when the film MERSAL faced objections from the union government over its portrayal of national policies.

At that time, Gandhi had urged the Prime Minister not to interfere with cinema, which he described as a deep expression of Tamil heritage. Furthermore, the Congress leader was among the first to reach out to the actor following a tragic stampede at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam campaign event in Karur last year.

The controversy surrounding JANA NAYAGAN intensified as the I&B Ministry reportedly raised concerns over specific political themes in the film. While the court has scheduled the next hearing for January 21, the delay has sparked widespread debate across the state regarding creative freedom and political censorship.

Representatives for the actor emphasized that the film reflects social realities and should be allowed to reach the public without undue restrictions.

As the legal proceedings continue, the high-profile support from national leaders has further elevated the film’s profile in the lead-up to its intended release.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary