Tamil Nadu, where cinema and politics meet

In Tamil Nadu, cinema and politics are the twain that always meet. In a land where politicians have historically used cinema as a vehicle for their propaganda, and leading lights from cinema (including three chief ministers) have switched to politics, an intermingling of the two is not only unavoidable; it is to be expected. But even in a happy relationship, things can get rocky from time to time.

The latest episode in this shaky co-existence involves two films. Controversy erupted last week after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) delayed approvals for the Pongal release of Jana Nayagan, featuring the popular star and emergent politician, Vijay; and Parasakthi, anchoring Sivakarthikeyan.

Jana Nayagan, reportedly Mr. Vijay’s swansong, launched strategically a few months before the Assembly elections, is, going by the trailers, the launch vehicle for his political journey and party. His character’s name in the film bears the initials TVK, the same as his political party Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam. The film was submitted to the CBFC in mid-December 2025 and reportedly passed initial scrutiny with suggested edits accepted, securing a U/A certification. But in a strange twist, the dissent of one member of the CBFC dragged it straight into the court halls. Some contentious portions sparked complaints that they hurt religious sentiments and misrepresented the armed forces.

The producer, KVN Productions, managed to get a favourable order at the Madras High Court, which allowed a U/A 16+ certificate for the movie, but on appeal from the CBFC, a division bench granted an interim stay and listed the next hearing for January 21. This meant that the movie not only missed its initial pre-Pongal Friday release (January 9), but also the long Pongal weekend (January 15-18). The producers have reportedly approached the Supreme Court seeking an urgent listing of the case on January 12.

While Mr. Vijay has maintained radio silence on the issue, others have accused the Central government of weaponising the CBFC. Filmmakers condemned the Board for harrying them and making them run from pillar to post for certification. A representative of the TVK cried that there was “deliberate sabotage”. Political representatives from the Tamil Nadu Congress condemned the CBFC for “attacking freedom of expression” and described the move as an instance of the growing politicisation of statutory institutions. Despite the rivalry between the DMK and the TVK, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader M.K. Stalin charged the BJP-led Central government with having weaponised the CBFC, as it had done with the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Directorate of Enforcement, and the Income Tax department. He made the statement a few hours after the CBFC cleared Parasakthi, ahead of its scheduled release on January 10, albeit with 25 cuts.

Notably, Parasakthi is being distributed by Red Giant Movies, founded by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. The film revolves around the anti-Hindi agitation in Tamil Nadu in the 1960s. Some cuts and modifications include references to Hindi, and phrases attributed to C.N. Annadurai. The anti-Hindu agitations still hold emotive appeal in Tamil Nadu, and increasingly outside the State as well.

In Tamil Nadu, films have repeatedly clashed with the CBFC and governments over ‘sensitive themes’. Actor Kamal Haasan, who was put through the wringer in 2013 for his film Vishwaroopam, released a statement on January 10, calling for a “principled relook at the film certification process, with defined timelines, transparent evaluation, and written, reasoned justification for every suggested cut or edit.” Vishwaroopam was banned for 15 days by the State government, following protests from Muslim groups objecting to its portrayal of terrorism, despite initial CBFC clearance. Mr. Vijay’s 2017 film, Mersal, raised political hackles after it criticised GST and health care privatisation, again leading to tweaks by the CBFC. In 2025, Vetri Maaran’s political drama, Manushi, on the plight of undertrial prisoners, went through a censorship battle. Finally, the Madras High Court reduced cuts and granted it a U/A certificate.

Given how cinema and politics stir passions in Tamil Nadu, the nexus will likely continue to spark controversies, with the free spirit of creation often having to accommodate the compulsions of politics, aided by the intercession of courts.