Vijay fans and Kollywood audiences expected relief from the Madras High Court on the censorship issue. Many believed Jana Nayagan would release smoothly on January 9th.
However, the second hearing ended on a disappointing note for the makers and fans.
As per reports, after hearing arguments from KVN Productions and the CBFC, the Madras High Court decided to reserve its judgment. The verdict is expected on the morning of January 9th. This makes it clear that Jana Nayagan cannot release on the planned date.
The second hearing was intense, with both sides strongly defending their positions. The CBFC stated that no bias was involved. It explained that certificates usually take fifteen days from the date of application and longer if a revising committee is required.
In response, the KVN Productions counsel argued that over Rs 500 crore had been invested in the film. They said the makers applied for certification on December 18th after announcing a January 9th release, yet the certificate was still pending.
The High Court judges criticised the CBFC's handling of Jana Nayagan, calling the process abnormal. At the same time, they stressed that the film can release only after following proper censorship norms. They reiterated that the judgment would likely be delivered on January 9th morning.
Despite the uncertainty, Jana Nayagan recorded massive worldwide pre bookings. Reports suggest the pre booking gross had almost crossed Rs 50 crore. If released as planned, the film was expected to collect over Rs 100 crore worldwide on day one.
With postponement likely, confusion has emerged about overseas releases. Since the film has reportedly cleared censorship in other countries, many are unsure if it will release abroad while being delayed in India. No official postponement announcement has been made yet.
This sudden delay has turned into a major advantage for The Raja Saab starring Prabhas. With Jana Nayagan out, The Raja Saab is expected to get maximum shows across multiple states and overseas markets.
Several key theatres in the Telugu states that were earlier blocked for Jana Nayagan are now likely to screen The Raja Saab. The opportunity is huge. Whether Prabhas can fully capitalise on this sudden opening remains to be seen.