Chennai: The controversy surrounding the alleged HD print leak of Jana Nayagan has intensified, with key industry bodies firmly denying any involvement of editors in the incident.

At a press conference held at the FEFSI headquarters in Chennai, South Indian Film Editors Association President Gopi and Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) President RK Selvamani addressed the allegations. Both leaders categorically rejected claims linking the film’s editor or editorial team to the leak.

Gopi stated that editors adhere to strict professional ethics and would not engage in such activities. He emphasized that an internal inquiry conducted by the association had already cleared the editorial team of any wrongdoing. He further noted that authorities have arrested six individuals in connection with the leak and expressed confidence that the main accused would soon be apprehended.

Responding to speculation surrounding editor Pradeep, Gopi urged the public and media to refrain from making accusations without concrete evidence, as the investigation remains ongoing.

Meanwhile, FEFSI President RK Selvamani responded strongly to earlier allegations made by director Ameer, who had accused members of the film’s crew. Selvamani demanded that such claims be withdrawn, warning that baseless accusations could harm industry professionals. He also highlighted that piracy remains a persistent issue in the film industry, adding that increased digitalisation has made such incidents more frequent. He called for stronger systemic measures and emphasized the need for both central and state governments to ensure accountability.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) also dismissed allegations suggesting its involvement in the leak. In an official statement, the board clarified that such claims are “baseless and false.” It explained that film content is secured with password protection and can only be accessed using a valid Key Delivery Message (KDM), which remains exclusively with the producer.

The CBFC further stated that the Digital Cinema Package (DCP) of Jana Nayagan was handed over to the applicant in Mumbai on March 17 with proper acknowledgment and has remained under their control since then.

The leak reportedly occurred on April 9, when an HD version of the film surfaced across multiple social media platforms, including X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Jana Nayagan, which is widely anticipated as actor Vijay’s final film before his political entry, was initially scheduled for release in January. However, the release was postponed due to delays in certification. Despite no official release date being announced, the film has now been affected by piracy concerns.

Authorities continue to investigate the matter as the industry calls for stricter safeguards against digital leaks.