The Madras High Court’s latest verdict has cast a long shadow over ‘Leo’, Vijay’s action-packed venture, by cancelling the single bench’s instruction to the CBFC for prompt certification. Announced Tuesday, this could push back the film’s debut, fueling debates on film censorship in India.
Recapping the dispute: Aimed for Pongal on January 9, ‘Leo’ hit a censor snag when the board invoked a complaint to send it for expert scrutiny. Producers contested this in court, winning an order for immediate UA clearance sans full review.
CBFC countered with an appeal, highlighting the single judge’s haste. The division bench intervened, nullifying the directive and advocating for balanced proceedings. ‘Time should have been granted for the Board’s reply,’ it noted pointedly.
Helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, ‘Leo’ features Vijay in dual-shaded intensity, clashing with Sanjay Dutt’s menacing foe, supported by Trisha and others. The film’s technical prowess and Anirudh’s score promised a visual-sonic treat.
Legal twists abound: An interim stay preceded this, and a Supreme Court rebuff on January 15 funneled matters back to Madras. Absent certification, no screens for ‘Leo’—a stark reminder of regulatory hurdles in Kollywood.
Stakeholders await the revising committee’s take, but delays risk audience fatigue and box-office slippage. This case spotlights systemic certification bottlenecks, urging reforms for swifter, fairer processes in an era of streaming competition.