Chennai | January 7, 2026
The fate of Tamil superstar Thalapathy Vijay’s Final Film ” Jana Nayagan “ remains uncertain as the Madras High Court has reserved its verdict in the ongoing censorship dispute, raising serious doubts over the film’s planned January 9 theatrical release.
A hearing was held on January 7, 2026, where Justice P.T. Asha heard arguments related to the delay in certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The court has reserved its decision, which is now expected to be delivered on the morning of January 9, just hours before the scheduled release.
CBFC Dispute and Court Proceedings
The controversy arose after the CBFC referred Jana Nayagan to a Revising Committee following an anonymous complaint alleging that the film hurts religious sentiments. The filmmakers have challenged this move, arguing that the film has not yet been released publicly, making such claims questionable.
Due to the absence of a censor certificate, the film cannot be legally released. As uncertainty persists, several theaters across Tamil Nadu have temporarily halted advance bookings to avoid mass cancellations if the release is delayed.
Story, Characters, and Cast
In Jana Nayagan, Thalapathy Vijay plays Thalapathi Vetri Kondan, a former police officer and prisoner. The narrative centers on his relationship with a young woman named Viji, portrayed by Mamitha Baiju, whom he raises to become a strong, independent figure and inspires to join the armed forces.
Bollywood actor Bobby Deol appears as the principal antagonist, setting up a high-stakes confrontation with Vijay. The ensemble cast also includes Pooja Hegde, Prakash Raj, Priyamani, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Vasudev Menon, and Naren.
Budget and Business Highlights
Mounted on a massive scale, Jana Nayagan carries an estimated budget of ₹300 crore. Vijay is reported to have earned ₹275 crore for the project, making him one of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema.
Despite the legal uncertainty, the film has recorded strong pre-release business. Global advance bookings have crossed ₹35 crore, with the UK market alone surpassing the previous records set by Leo.
Music, Runtime, and Trailer Records
The film’s music has been composed by Anirudh Ravichander, with songs like “Thalapathi Kacheri” and “Raavana Mavanda” emerging as chartbusters.
With a runtime of nearly three hours, the film is being described as an immersive political drama. The official trailer, released on January 3, 2026, amassed over 83.7 million views within 24 hours, setting a new benchmark in Tamil cinema.
Release Plan and Multilingual Titles
Subject to court clearance, Jana Nayagan is slated for a Pongal release on Friday, January 9, 2026. The film will be released as ‘Jana Nayakudu’ in Telugu and ‘Jan Neta’ in Hindi.
All eyes are now on the Madras High Court’s verdict, which will determine whether Thalapathy Vijay’s final cinematic outing reaches theaters as scheduled.
