Legal Battle Escalates Over OTT Release of ‘Jana Nayakan’; Thalapathy Vijay Film Faces Court Threat

The release of Thalapathy Vijay’s latest film Jana Nayakan continues to be mired in controversy—not just in theaters, but now on OTT platforms as well. The film’s makers have informed the Madras High Court that Amazon Prime Video has issued a legal notice over uncertainties regarding the streaming release.

Originally scheduled for a January 9 theatrical release, the film was delayed due to certification issues with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). After submitting the edited version post-review, the makers claimed that the CBFC initially suggested a U/A certificate but then refused to grant certification, creating a legal deadlock.

KVN Productions, representing the film, told the court that communication gaps with the CBFC from December 25 to January 5 left them unable to finalize the release. Senior advocate Satish Parasan argued that the OTT platform’s warning could lead to litigation if the release date remains uncertain, adding pressure on the makers.

The CBFC raised questions about announcing a release date before certification, prompting the producers to cite Dhurandhar 2 as precedent, where such practices are common. The producers also alleged a conflict of interest, stating that a CBFC review committee member who initially cleared the film later filed a complaint, questioning the film’s depiction of armed forces and sensitive scenes.

The Madras High Court has reserved its decision on the appeal against a single-judge order that directed a U/A 16+ certificate. The film’s release—both in theaters and on OTT—now awaits the verdict of the division bench.