The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea filed by the producers of actor-turned-politician Vijay’s upcoming film Jana Nayagan, challenging an interim order of the Madras High Court related to its censor certification. The apex court directed the High Court to decide the matter on January 20, effectively declining to grant any immediate relief.

The plea was filed by KVN Productions LLP against a division bench order of the Madras High Court that had stayed a single-judge direction to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to grant a U/A certificate to the film. Jana Nayagan was earlier scheduled for a Pongal release on January 9, but the release has been postponed due to the ongoing certification dispute.

Appearing for the producers, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued that extensive publicity had already been carried out and that delays would cause irreparable losses. He submitted that over 5,000 theatres had been booked and that films are “perishable commodities,” urging the court to intervene or expedite the hearing.

Also Read: Producers of Vijay’s Jana Nayagan Move Supreme Court Over CBFC UA Certification Stay

The bench led by Justice Dipankar Datta, however, declined to interfere, noting that the High Court had already fixed the matter for January 20. Justice Datta observed that once the division bench has scheduled a hearing, there is no justification for the Supreme Court’s intervention at this stage.

Earlier, on January 9, the Madras High Court division bench stayed a single judge’s order directing immediate certification of the film, stating that the CBFC was not given sufficient time to respond. The bench also remarked that the producers had created “false urgency” by announcing a release date without securing a censor certificate.

The CBFC had appealed the single-judge order within minutes, arguing that its communication had been set aside without being challenged by the producers. With the Supreme Court stepping aside, all eyes are now on the Madras High Court’s January 20 hearing, which will determine the fate of Vijay’s much-anticipated swansong film.

Also Read: Jana Nayagan Release Delayed Due to CBFC Legal Issues, Producer Says Vijay Deserves Farewell