Tamil superstar Thalapathy Vijay’s action extravaganza ‘Leo’ has received a significant legal boost from the Madras High Court. In a swift judgment, the court ordered the CBFC to promptly grant the film a ‘UA’ certificate, overturning the board’s prolonged delays.
Released on October 19 coinciding with Diwali, ‘Leo’ emerged as an instant phenomenon, amassing colossal collections and becoming the highest-grossing Tamil film ever. However, post-release certification hurdles threatened its wide exhibition in certain territories.
The producers approached the High Court after the CBFC rejected the UA plea thrice, citing excessive violence despite 19 cuts implemented. During hearings, the court scrutinized the board’s flip-flopping rationale, questioning the subjective nature of their violence assessment.
“Commercial success validates public acceptance,” Justice Venkatesh observed, highlighting ‘Leo’s ₹2,200 crore-plus worldwide earnings. The bench criticized the CBFC for post-facto nitpicking on a film already viewed by millions without reported incidents.
This landmark order not only clears ‘Leo’ for unrestricted UA screenings but also signals stricter timelines for certification bodies. Filmmakers across Kollywood welcome the verdict as a win against bureaucratic overreach.
As ‘Leo’ solidifies its place in box office history, the ruling reaffirms cinema’s commercial vitality and the need for certification reforms in India’s diverse film landscape.
