Vijay’s Jana Nayagan gets CBFC clearance, to hit theatres after months-long delay
After months of certification delays, Vijay's final film as an actor has received an A certificate from the CBFC, raising anticipation among fans
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s Jana Nayagan, which was initially slated to hit theatres on January 9 during the Pongal festival this year, is likely to be released in July.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) granted Jana Nayagan an A certificate on Thursday (July 9). The certification has now appeared on the CBFC's official website, which also states that the film has a runtime of 183 minutes (three hours and three minutes). However, the board has not yet uploaded the film's cut list.
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The film was sent to the CBFC for certification in December 2025, and KVN Productions was reportedly informed that it would receive a U/A 16+ certificate. However, the issue took an unexpected turn after a member of the examining committee reportedly raised objections, leading to the film being referred to a revision committee. The CBFC subsequently withheld the certificate for several months, saying the process had to be completed as per procedure.
Fans await grand release
The delay in certification pushed the film's release indefinitely, leaving Vijay's fans frustrated. Their disappointment eventually gave way to celebration after Vijay and his party, TVK, registered a sweeping victory in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in May, making him the state's Chief Minister in his very first electoral contest, a feat achieved by very few political leaders.
Directed by H Vinoth, Jana Nayagan is Vijay’s final film as an actor and was originally planned as his farewell to cinema before entering electoral politics. More than just another commercial entertainer, the film represents a defining moment in both Tamil cinema and Vijay's career, which has stretched across more than three decades.
Every announcement related to the film, from its first-look poster to its music, has been examined closely by fans and moviegoers. The six-month delay also sparked repeated speculation over when the film would finally arrive in theatres.
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Backed by KVN Productions with a reported budget of Rs 500 crore, the film boasts a star-studded cast and a grand production scale, adding to the excitement surrounding its release. It also features Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol and Mamitha Baiju, while Anirudh Ravichander has composed the music.
Vijay's films have consistently delivered massive openings, and Jana Nayagan is expected to record one of the biggest openings in Tamil cinema, fuelled by his enormous fan following and his recent elevation as Chief Minister.