One of the loudest ‘whistle podu’ moments in theJana Nayagantrailer comes when Vijay stares straight into the camera and declares, “I am coming.” Yet, over the past 24 hours, it has become clear that despite the punch of that line, the journey to the big screen is far from complete. Considerable hurdles remain before Thalapathy Vijay makes his much-awaited, larger-than-life appearance.
The actor’s farewell film, originally scheduled for release on January 9, has been postponed after the Censor Board declined to issue a certificate. The matter has now landed before the Madras High Court, which is expected to deliver its verdict on Friday morning.
The immediate repercussions are financial. Overseas releases across 24 international markets have been stalled, and theJana Nayaganteam may have to spend several crores to retain theatre bookings in the hope of a quick clearance. Even alternative release dates such as January 10, 11, or 14 appear uncertain.
Reports suggest that the certification was denied after one member of the five-member examining committee raised an objection. Typically, such disagreements are resolved through discussion, clarification from the filmmakers, or a majority vote. However, much to the surprise of the producers, the dissenting view reportedly prevailed instead of being overruled by a 4–1 majority.
Adding to the uncertainty, the Censor Board could still appeal against a court order permitting release, potentially delaying screenings by up to two weeks. With the Republic Day weekend already packed with releases, screen availability may become another major obstacle.
The setback came as an unexpected twist for TeamJana Nayagan, which had been gearing up for a high-stakes Pongal box-office clash withParasakthi, starring Sivakarthikeyan.Parasakthiis a period drama centred on the anti-Hindi agitations of the 1960s—events that played a pivotal role in the DMK’s rise to power in 1967. The film is distributed by Red Giant Movies, linked to Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udayanidhi Stalin, and produced by Akash Bhaskaran, a relative of the Karunanidhi–Stalin family.
The political resonance runs deep. The originalParasakthi(1952), starring Sivaji Ganesan, featured screenplay and dialogues by M Karunanidhi and remains a landmark in Tamil cinema. As a result, bothParasakthiandJana Nayaganwere widely viewed as politically charged films ahead of the upcoming elections. The Censor Board’s intervention has therefore fuelled suspicion among Vijay’s supporters, who believe the delay is politically motivated. Given that the Board’s members are appointed by the central government, some fans allege that the BJP is using regulatory pressure to influence the TVK chief’s political alignment.
Further complicating matters is the CBI summons issued to Vijay in connection with the Karur stampede case, asking him to appear for questioning on January 12. In a state where political narratives often breed conspiracy theories, interpretations vary sharply depending on one’s ideological leanings. Meanwhile, Bobby Deol—the on-screen antagonist ofJana Nayagan—remains the least of the film’s concerns.
This is not the first time Vijay’s films have courted controversy. In 2018,Sarkarfaced backlash from the then ruling AIADMK over alleged references to former chief minister J Jayalalithaa and criticism of welfare schemes. The year before,Mersaldrew BJP objections over its comments on GST and Digital India, with senior leader H Raja even targeting Vijay’s religious identity.
Expectations were thatJana Nayaganwould sail through censorship, especially since it is believed to be loosely based on the Telugu National Award-winning filmBhagavanth Kesari(2023), starring Nandamuri Balakrishna. However, timing and political context have made all the difference.
Marketed as Vijay’s final film before a full-time political plunge,Jana Nayagancarries heightened symbolism. The protagonist’s name—Thalapathy Vetri Kondan (TVK), meaning “Leader of the People”—mirrors Vijay’s political branding. In the trailer, he brandishes a whip in a nod to MGR’s iconic screen persona, chastising corrupt politicians for exploiting power instead of serving the public.
Cinema has always been intertwined with Tamil Nadu politics. But when politics takes centre stage in cinema, it becomes a volatile mix—one that now threatens to dampen the festive spirit of Pongal.
