Chennai, 07 January (H.S.) : The Madras High Court (MHC) on Wednesday conducted a detailed hearing regarding the ongoing censorship dispute between the producers of the film Jana Nayagan and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The legal battle has cast significant uncertainty over the scheduled release of the movie featuring actor Vijay, which was originally set to hit the screens on January 9. After listening to the rival arguments presented by both parties, the court decided to adjourn the matter to January 8 for further proceedings.

The controversy began when the CBFC referred the film to its review committee following a complaint alleging that the content hurts religious sentiments. The producers have vehemently denied these allegations, arguing that such claims are baseless especially since the film has not been screened for the public yet.

During the court session, the filmmakers emphasized that the objections were premature. On the other hand, the CBFC maintained its stance that a censor certificate cannot be rushed or demanded simply by citing an imminent release date.

The board insisted on following the standard protocols for review. As the legal deadlock continues, the film industry is closely watching the outcome of the next hearing.

The producers remain hopeful for a favorable ruling that would allow the movie to meet its planned premiere date without further delays. This case highlights the tension between creative freedom and the regulatory framework of film certification in the country.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary