In a major victory for Tamil cinema superstar Thalapathy Vijay and the makers of his blockbuster ‘Leo’, the Madras High Court has intervened decisively. The court has directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue a ‘UA’ certificate to the film without further delay.
The legal battle stemmed from the CBFC’s initial refusal to grant the desired certification despite multiple revisions made by the producers. ‘Leo’, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, had already shattered box office records worldwide upon its Diwali release, grossing over ₹580 crore globally in its opening weekend.
Justice Anand Venkatesh, hearing the urgent petition filed by Seven Screen Studio, expressed strong displeasure over the examining committee’s inconsistent stance. The court noted that the filmmakers had voluntarily removed several scenes as per earlier suggestions, yet the board persisted with objections on violence portrayal.
“The CBFC cannot keep changing its requirements endlessly,” the judge remarked, emphasizing the film’s commercial success and positive audience reception. The court mandated certification within 24 hours, ensuring ‘Leo’ maintains its family-friendly UA rating across theaters.
This ruling comes as a huge relief amid ongoing debates about censorship limits in Indian cinema. Industry experts hail it as a precedent for faster, fairer certification processes. With ‘Leo’ continuing its dream run, Vijay fans celebrate another triumph for their idol, reinforcing his status as a mass entertainer par excellence.
The decision underscores the judiciary’s role in balancing creative freedom with regulatory oversight, potentially influencing future certification disputes.