New Delhi’s legal corridors are buzzing as the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) moves swiftly to the Supreme Court amid escalating tensions surrounding Thalapathy Vijay’s highly anticipated film ‘Leo’. The board has lodged a caveat, urging the apex court to refrain from issuing any unilateral orders without hearing their side first.
This strategic filing comes hot on the heels of a Madras High Court division bench overturning a single judge’s directive that mandated the CBFC to grant a UA 16+ certificate to the film. The controversy traces back to Pongal 2024, when ‘Leo’ was slated for a grand release on January 9 but hit a certification snag.
Initially, the CBFC suggested minor cuts and muting certain dialogues after a preliminary review. The producers complied promptly, resubmitting the revised version. However, complaints poured in, prompting the board to escalate the matter to its revising committee. Frustrated by the delays, KV N Productions approached the Madras High Court.
On January 9, a single judge ordered the CBFC to certify the film UA and allowed petition amendments. But the division bench stayed this, leading producers to appeal to the Supreme Court. The top court refused intervention on January 15, directing the high court to decide by January 20.
‘Leo’ marks Vijay’s final big-screen outing before his full plunge into politics. Packed with stars like Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, and Prakash Raj, the action thriller has fans on edge. The CBFC insists on its authority to address public complaints and adhere to guidelines, while producers decry the hold-up as unjust.
As the saga unfolds, the film industry watches closely. Will the Supreme Court tip the scales, or will certification protocols prevail? The battle highlights the perennial clash between creative freedom and regulatory oversight in Indian cinema.