India’s Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) has filed a caveat in Supreme Court, seeking a hearing if filmmakers challenge Madras High Court’s order regarding the release of actor Vijay’s film Jana Nayagan.
The Madras High Court had recently overturned a single judge’s directive that instructed CBFC to issue a U/A 16+ certificate for the movie.
The division bench allowed the filmmakers to revise their petition and have it reconsidered by the single judge, if they wish.
The court noted that the single judge had acted without giving the CBFC an opportunity to respond and observed that the petition was not maintainable, as it effectively sought to compel the board to issue a certificate rather than contesting its earlier order.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had declined to hear the case, directing the high court to resolve it by January 20. By filing the caveat, CBFC aims to ensure that it can present its stance in the top court should the filmmakers approach it.
The dispute highlights the ongoing tensions in India over film certification, balancing the rights of filmmakers with the regulatory authority of the CBFC.
Source: NDTV