Chennai: Actor-turned-politician and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay‘s much-awaited film Jana Nayagan is likely to receive its censor certificate this weekend, clearing the final hurdle for its theatrical release later this month, according to sources.

The development comes after months of delays in the film’s certification process, despite the movie having completed its initial censor review in late 2025.

CBFC certification nears completion

Sources said the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is expected to issue the film’s censor certificate this weekend, paving the way for the makers to officially announce its release date.

Earlier, the film had been cleared by the CBFC’s Revising Committee after undergoing a fresh review. The movie was initially examined by the Examining Committee in December 2025, which reportedly recommended certain cuts. The filmmakers implemented the suggested changes and had planned to release the film on January 9, 2026.

However, the certification process took a fresh turn after a member of the Examining Committee reportedly objected to certain scenes and wrote to CBFC Chairperson Prasoon Joshi. Following the objections, the matter was referred to the Revising Committee for another review.

Legal battle over certification delay

With the certification process remaining pending, the makers approached the Madras High Court and later the Supreme Court, seeking intervention over the delay.

Sources also indicated that the Model Code of Conduct contributed to postponing the issuance of the censor certificate. The producers are now awaiting the final approval before confirming the film’s release schedule.

Producer explains prolonged delay

KVN Productions founder and producer Venkat K. Narayana recently said the production team had expected to receive a U/A 16+ certification after the Examining Committee completed its review.

However, instead of receiving the certificate, the producers were informed that a complaint had been received against the film, prompting the CBFC to refer it to the Revising Committee.

According to the producer, the complaint reportedly came from a member of the Examining Committee itself, despite the committee having earlier cleared the film with suggested modifications. This led the makers to pursue legal remedies while simultaneously completing the revised certification process.

Venkat added that the production house has been following all statutory procedures and is prepared to release the film immediately after receiving the final censor certificate.

Political significance adds to anticipation

Jana Nayagan has attracted widespread public attention as it features Vijay in the lead role following his transition into active politics and his elevation as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

The producer also revealed that several fans had requested changing the title card from “Thalapathy Vijay” to “Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,” reflecting the actor’s new political identity. He remarked that the film’s release after Vijay assumed office appears to have given the title Jana Nayagan (“People’s Leader”) added significance.

Film leaked before release

The film recently made headlines after it was leaked illegally online before its official release. According to reports, a freelance assistant editor and several others were arrested in connection with the piracy case.

Directed by H. Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions, Jana Nayagan also stars Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol and Mamitha Baiju in key roles.

With the censor process nearing completion, fans are now awaiting an official announcement regarding the film’s theatrical release later this month.