R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, JAN 17
The Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday strongly criticised Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for targeting the Centre over the delayed release of actor-politician Vijay’s much-anticipated film Jana Nayagan, accusing the DMK and its allies of spreading “false propaganda” to mislead the people of Tamil Nadu.
- BJP accuses DMK of politicising film release, says Vijay Silent
- ‘Business interests behind delay, not political vendetta’: BJP
- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and actor-politician Kamal Haasan also condemn the Centre for allegedly targeting Jana Nayagan
The BJP maintained that while Vijay himself has refrained from making any public comment on the controversy, the ruling DMK-led alliance has attempted to turn the issue into a political narrative against the BJP-led government at the Centre.
‘Business Interests Behind Delay, Not Political Vendetta’: BJP
In an official statement, Tamil Nadu BJP state spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad asserted that Jana Nayagan did not release on its originally planned date due to business interests of the film’s producers, and not because of any political interference.
He further alleged that the “selfish motives” of a few individuals who are “misguiding” Vijay have partly contributed to the delay in the release of the high-profile film, which has drawn wide public attention owing to its perceived political undertones.
CBFC Withheld Certificate After Makers ‘Refused Suggestions’
The BJP also addressed allegations against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), clarifying that the statutory body withheld the certificate only after the makers of Jana Nayagan allegedly refused to implement the recommendations suggested by the board.
Questioning the DMK and its allies, the BJP asked why the Centre was being accused of deliberately stalling the film’s release for political reasons, when the actor-politician himself has chosen not to comment on the issue. The party said a few groups were instead targeting the Central government and misleading voters for political gains.
Stalin Calls CBFC a ‘Weapon’; Legal Battle Moves to High Court
The BJP’s reaction followed Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s statement accusing the CBFC of functioning as a “weapon” of the ruling party at the Centre, akin to central probe agencies such as the CBI, ED and IT.
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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and actor-politician Kamal Haasan also condemned the Centre for allegedly targeting Jana Nayagan. The film, which was scheduled to release on January 9, was postponed after the CBFC withheld its certificate. Recently, the Supreme Court, while hearing a plea filed by the producers KVN Productions, directed them to approach the Madras High Court for appropriate relief.
As the controversy escalates, Jana Nayagan has emerged as a fresh flashpoint in Tamil Nadu’s ever-evolving cine-politics, blurring the lines between cinema, law and electoral discourse.
