BJP putting pressure on censor board: DMK's TKS Elangovan on delay in release of Vijay's film

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], January 11 (ANI): Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK) leader TKS Elangovan blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the delay in censor certification of actor-turned-politician Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan', accusing them of pressurising the censor board.
He said that Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay has moved to the Madras High Court over the issue, adding that the censorship process takes only two to three days.
"The BJP is delaying the release of the movie Jana Nayagan with censorship objections. Normally, the censor process is completed within 2-3 days, but they are putting pressure. Actor Vijay has gone to court against this delay," Elangovan told ANI.
However, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan slammed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over the issue, asserting that the Congress and ruling DMK have no moral authority to criticise the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Speaking to ANI during Pongal celebrations, she criticised Congress' history of "stifling freedom of expression" during the Emergency and its past record of banning films.
"Tamil Nadu CM has no moral responsibility to talk about incidents like the central sensor board because it is an independent body," she stated. On Friday, the Madras High Court directed the CBFC to issue a U/A 16+ certification for the film, days after the makers postponed its theatrical release," Soundararajan added.
"The matter was postponed, and today the order was pronounced. The writ petition has been allowed by the MHC. If the movie is not screened on time, it will be a significant loss for attendees, so reimbursement is being offered. The lawyers informed that 27 scenes have been cut. If CBFC goes for an appeal, we will face them in court," Indra Dhanraj, joint coordinator for the state legal wing, TVK, told the media.
'Jana Nayagan' producer Venkat Narayana, in a video message, stated that the matter remains "subjudiced." He revealed that the film was initially cleared after the makers incorporated a few cuts as suggested by the board.
"Just a few days before our planned release, we were informed that the film had been referred to the revising committee based on a complaint. With the time running out and without knowing the complainant, we approached the High Court. After hearing the matter, the court directed that the certificate be issued, but the CBFC immediately challenged the decision. The order to issue the certification has been stayed," the producer said.
Directed by H Vinoth and produced by Venkat K Narayana under KVN Productions, 'Jana Nayagan' is dubbed as Thalapathy Vijay's last film. (ANI)