As of January 12, 2026, the film's release remains stalled indefinitely. Reports indicate the makers have approached the Supreme Court for urgent relief, seeking an early hearing 

Actor-turned-politician Vijay, the founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has been at the centre of intense political speculation in Tamil Nadu this week. As the state gears up for the 2026 Assembly elections, questions swirl around potential alliances involving TVK, the Congress, BJP, and other parties. Adding to the drama, Vijay's upcoming film Jana Nayagan—marking his final big-screen appearance before fully transitioning to politics—faced a significant legal hurdle.

The film, Vijay's purported final big-screen appearance before fully transitioning to politics with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), was originally slated for release on January 9, 2026, during the Pongal festival. However, delays in obtaining the CBFC certificate led to a last-minute postponement. Producers approached the Madras High Court, arguing that despite complying with recommended cuts after the film's examination, the process was stalled following a complaint—possibly from a committee member—leading to referral to a revising committee.

 A single judge initially directed the CBFC to issue a U/A 16+ certificate forthwith, but the decision was quickly stayed by a division bench following an appeal by the CBFC, with the Solicitor General appearing in the matter. The case has been scheduled for further hearing around January 21, 2026.

The DMK accused the BJP of exerting pressure through agencies, while opposition voices suggested the certification issues reflect broader political maneuvering. 

The controversy coincides with a CBI summons to Vijay for questioning on January 12, 2026, in connection with the tragic Karur stampede in September 2025, which claimed 41 lives at a TVK event. Many view the summons as potential pressure tactics from the Union government, especially amid alliance discussions.

A DMK spokesperson Dhanidharan emphasized the unbreakable 22-year alliance between DMK and Congress, dismissing rumours of a Congress-TVK tie-up as premature speculation. He accused the BJP of using agencies like the CBI for political gains, citing examples from other states. He pointed to the unusual involvement of high-level legal representation and suggested the move might be an attempt to create controversy for publicity, stifle Vijay's growing political momentum, or even compensate for some internal setback. 

The party leaders emphasized that the institution appeared to lack transparency and accountability. In response, representatives aligned with the BJP and critics of DMK dismissed these claims as baseless attempts to politicize a routine certification issue. They argued that the producers had prematurely announced the release date without securing clearance, creating a "false sense of urgency." 

The case was described as a standard business matter, not political vendetta, with examples cited of other films—like a 1991 Tamil movie delayed for 13 years due to sensitivities around Rajiv Gandhi's assassination—facing far longer hurdles. They questioned why DMK and Congress were quick to rally behind Vijay, suggesting it was an opportunistic bid to ride on sympathy from his massive fanbase. 

They claimed the alliance has sufficient vote share to succeed.

A TVK spokesperson asserted that TVK is the "center of gravity" in Tamil Nadu politics, capable of forming a government independently. He described Vijay as a major force attracting massive crowds, particularly among the youth (with 60% of voters under 35), and positioned the party as a "giving end" rather than desperate for alliances. While open to partnerships that respect Vijay's leadership, he reiterated ideological commitments and the party's independence.

A political analyst offered a pragmatic view, suggesting Vijay faces limited realistic options. He dismissed TVK's majority claims as delusional and argued that Vijay could either align with the NDA (potentially becoming a deputy CM figure akin to Pawan Kalyan in Andhra Pradesh) or risk isolation and poor performance by relying on fringe partners. He downplayed the CBI summons as routine, given the scale of the tragedy.

As of January 12, 2026, the film's release remains stalled indefinitely. Reports indicate the makers have approached the Supreme Court for urgent relief, seeking an early hearing (possibly as soon as January 12), with potential for escalation. The episode underscores the tense intersection of cinema, bureaucracy, and politics in Tamil Nadu, with the January 21 High Court hearing (and any Supreme Court intervention) poised to decide the film's fate and fuel further discourse on institutional neutrality ahead of elections.