Overview
- The Madras High Court heard the case on January 7 and is expected to deliver its order on January 9 at 10:30 a.m., leaving the release date unresolved.
- Accounts of the certification process say four of five CBFC examiners reportedly backed a U/A 16+ rating, but one member’s objection over scenes said to risk hurting religious sentiments stalled clearance.
- KVN Productions cited unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances in postponing the January 9 opening, and overseas releases across numerous markets have been put on hold.
- Prominent Tamil actors and filmmakers, including Silambarasan TR, Jayam Ravi and Karthik Subbaraj, publicly voiced support and urged clearer, faster certification and release processes.
- If the court permits release, the CBFC could appeal, a step reports say might extend delays by up to two weeks during an already crowded Pongal and Republic Day window.