Despite the lengthy review process, it remains controversial. Tarapati Vijay The starrer ‘Jana Nayagan’ graces the silver screen with an ‘A’ certificate. Filmmaker and former CBFC advisory panel member EV Ganesh Babu has now shared his thoughts on what led to the delay. He said much of the criticism leveled at the CBFC was based on misunderstandings, stressing that the extension in the certification process was primarily the result of legal proceedings and election-related regulations rather than any deliberate effort to prevent the release of films.
Ganesh Babu Says court case delays certification process
Speaking to Cinema Express, Ganesh Babu said, “The film was first scrutinized by the censor board and recommended to a revision committee. The manufacturer did not immediately file an application, but instead took the matter to court. Once the case reaches the courts, the process naturally takes time as CBFC officials also have to respond. No one in the CBFC wanted to postpone the film. ” He added that he was part of one of the committees that watched Jana Nayagan but clarified that he was not part of the last committee that awarded the film its certificate. Therefore, he said he could not comment on whether the final “A” certificate was the right decision.
Election announcement adds another hurdle
Ganesh Babu also explained that the announcement of the elections posed another hurdle for the film. “Since the film has political content, the Model Code of Conduct came into force. Officials cannot ignore election rules while certifying such films. If the makers had withdrawn the court case earlier and approached the revision committee, there would have been enough time to complete the entire process before the election was declared,” he said. He said the delay was caused by circumstances and legal procedures, rather than the CBFC’s reluctance to issue the certificate.
Ex-CBFC member refutes rumors about process
Addressing the speculation surrounding the certification process, Ganesh Babu said: “Every citizen has the right to approach the courts. I am not saying that this decision is wrong. But court proceedings take time as the judges have to examine all aspects of the case. If the revision committee route had been chosen earlier, there was a 100 per cent chance that ‘Jana Nayagan’ would have received the certificate before Pongal.”He also refuted rumors of leaks during CBFC screenings, saying the entire process was highly secure and followed strict protocols, making unauthorized viewing of the film extremely difficult.