The makers of "Jana Nayagan," starring Vijay, are reportedly aiming for a Republic Day release, contingent upon the resolution of a legal hurdle. The film's release was initially stalled due to issues with its censor certificate.
The legal battle between the producers, KVN Productions, and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has reached the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has directed the Madras High Court to hear the case again, with a decision expected by January 20. The film's certification process was reopened after a complaint from a member of the examining committee. The Madras High Court had previously instructed the CBFC to grant the film a U/A 16+ certificate after suggested changes were implemented. However, the CBFC appealed this ruling, leading to a stay on the certification.
"Jana Nayagan," directed by H. Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions, is a political action thriller. The film features a stellar cast, including Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Vasudev Menon, and Prakash Raj. Anirudh Ravichander composed the film's music. This film is widely reported to be Vijay's final cinematic venture before he fully commits to his political career.
The film's postponement significantly impacted pre-release business. "Jana Nayagan" had reportedly amassed nearly ₹40 crore in overseas opening-day advance bookings and close to ₹60 crore for its opening weekend. The film had also fetched over ₹325 crore through satellite, digital, and music rights. The combined ₹100 crore in global pre-sales was wiped out following the delay. The domestic impact was equally significant, with theaters in Karnataka alone refunding tickets worth nearly ₹6 crore.
A Republic Day release could provide the perfect platform for "Jana Nayagan" to reclaim its box office momentum. If the verdict is in favor of the makers, they may opt for a Monday release on Republic Day or the preceding Friday to capitalize on the extended holiday weekend. However, the film must be released before the Election Commission announces the Code of Conduct for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections.
