Overview
- The Division Bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan set aside the January 9 single-judge directive that told the CBFC to grant a U/A 16+ certificate, citing a lapse in natural justice.
- The case returns to the single judge for reconsideration, with directions to allow the CBFC to file a counter-affidavit and permission for the producer to amend the petition to challenge the referral to the Revising Committee.
- Producers say the Examining Committee initially recommended U/A16+ with cuts in December and that they implemented the modifications, but the CBFC referred the film for review after a complaint.
- The complaint, reportedly from an Examining Committee member, flagged concerns over depictions related to the armed forces and religious sentiments, prompting the CBFC Chairperson’s referral under Rule 24.
- The Supreme Court declined to intervene on January 15, the Pongal release is off, and the high-budget film—described as Vijay’s last before full-time politics—remains uncertified with its release timeline uncertain.