Blocked, censored and pressured: the long history of Vijay films stopped before they could reach their fans | Tamil news & more related news here

The production team was forced to make several concessions, including removing the controversial catchphrase. In a last ditch attempt to resolve the situation, Vijay and his team traveled to Kodanadu to meet Jayalalithaa personally, but were denied audience. Vijay finally posted an emotional video message asking fans for patience and asking the Chief Minister for help. The film was finally released in Tamil Nadu on August 20, eleven days late, by which time its initial momentum had slowed significantly.

Four years later, Mersal was released during Diwali and immediately drew criticism from the BJP. The party demanded the removal of scenes in which Vijay’s character criticized the Goods and Services Tax and the Digital India initiative, alleging that the film contained factual errors and was running an anti-government campaign. The scene at the center of the controversy showed the character pointing out that Singapore charges only 7% GST and provides free healthcare, while India, with its higher GST rates, could not guarantee the same.

The film also ran into trouble at the certification stage before its release, as the Animal Welfare Board of India initially rejected a no-objection certificate on the use of animals in the production.

Also read: Vijay’s Jana Nayagan faces another delay: CBFC review committee evaluation postponed as member falls ill

The Telugu dubbed version, Adirindhi, was held separately at the CBFC, where producers were given the option to mute or remove the controversial dialogues. They chose to silence them, and the decision was met with widespread outrage from fans who remained seated during the long, visible silence in theaters. Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi, Arvind Swamy and Khushbu expressed their support for the film, with Kamal posting on social media asking the CBFC not to censor a film that had already been certified.

Sarkar was released on November 6, 2018 and ran into problems not before launching but within hours of launching. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) ministers accused Vijay of trying to incite viewers against the government by ridiculing its welfare schemes. Among the points of contention was a scene showing people burning government gifts such as grinders and fans. Another issue raised was the name of the antagonist, played by Varalaxmi Sarathkumar. Her character was called Komalavalli, a name widely associated with the original name of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. In the film, the character is portrayed as a scheming woman who helps her father in his bid to become prime minister for the third time.

AIADMK party cadres staged protests at theaters across Tamil Nadu and vandalized Vijay banners. Following threats of lawsuits from the government, the filmmakers agreed to cut scenes and silence the name wherever it appeared on the audio track. On the third day of the film’s release, director AR Murugadoss had sought anticipatory bail from the High Court after the police visited his residence in his absence. Kamal Haasan openly criticized the AIADMK government, saying that it was not new for them to put pressure on filmmakers who had already obtained a censor certificate and released a film.

Jana Nayagan is a completely different situation. The obstruction here did not come from protest groups outside theaters or from political parties demanding cuts after seeing the film. It began within the certification process itself, with a referral to the Review Committee before the film could reach the screens, prompted by a complaint from a single member of the examining committee. Jana Nayagan is the latest film by a man who has already launched a political party, contested elections and built an organization with the ambition of ruling Tamil Nadu. That, more than anything else, is what makes this particular wall the hardest Vijay has ever had to face.