All You Need To Know About Thalapathy Vijay's Last Movie 'Jana Nayagan'

The highest paid Indian movie star might not be Shah Rukh Khan or superstar Rajinikanth. With a Rs 2.75 billion (Dh 112.4 million approximately) paycheque for his latest flick, that title could go to Joesph Vijay Chandrasekhar, also referred to as Thalapathy Vijay.

Vijay is one of Indian-and Tamil-cinema's most popular stars and commands a massive following of admirers and fan clubs. His entry in Indian politics has added an impetus: the swan song of a mega star that needs to go out with a bang.

For fans of Vijay and Tamil cinema observers, the pre-launch events of his movies are as important as the end product. Carefully choreographed and entertaining, they have often served as a barometer of his future projects. The curtain raiser for Jana Nayagan, which releases in UAE cinemas on January 9, was no different.

“I have decided to give up cinema for the fans who gave up everything for me," Vijay said to cheers at the audio launch of Jana Nayagan, to the over 70,000-strong crowd at the National Stadium Bukit Jalal in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, said to be a record for the South-Eastern Asian nation. The country also houses a large Tamil diaspora.

Composer Anirudh Ravichander was there, so were the directors Atlee, Lokesh Kanagaraj and Nelson Dilipkumar-all of whom have worked with Vijay in the past. The Indian Express reported that singers, including Vijay Yesudas, Shweta Mohan, Yogi B, Andrea Jeremiah, Anuradha Sriram, SP Charan and Tippu, performed at the event.

But what makes this movie special? And why has its pre-release event raised eyebrows? Khaleej Times cuts through the clutter.

Tell me more about Jana Nayagan .

Jana Nayagan is Vijay's last movie as he enters politics later this year. It's directed by H Vinoth, who previously helmed the gritty and critically acclaimed police procedural Dheeran Adhigaaram Onru, Nerkonda Paarvai, the Tamil remake of the Bollywood movie Pink; and Valimai and Thunivu, starring Ajith Kumar. Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Prakash Raj and Priyamani round off Jana Nayagan's ensemble cast. Anirudh Ravichander (think Coolie, Jawan, Vettaiyan, Devara and Leo) is its music composer.

What is unique about this movie?

Apart from the fact that it's Vijay's swan song? The stakes are high for Vijay, and he'd want to end his acting career on a high. Vijay is often considered one of Tamil cinema's most bankable stars; his movies guarantee high openings and footfalls. Produced by K Venkat Narayana under the banner of KVN Productions, Jana Nayagan is reportedly made under a budget of around Rs 3 billion (Dh122.7 million approximately). Bollywood star Bobby Deol has been cast as the antagonist, marking his second Tamil film after Kanguva (2024).

What makes the run-up to this film's release unique?

In one word, politics. Vijay taking swipes at the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the party that governs Tamil Nadu, has garnered a lot of attention. He is gradually gaining the perception of a serious politician for quitting cinema in the middle of a purple patch: most of his recent movies, including Leo (2023), Greatest of All Time (2024) and Varisu (2023), were hits. His die-hard fan base, however, remains inconsolable, trending hashtags like #OneLastTime on social media.

Speaking about social media, have Jana Nayagan 's songs set social media afire?

Can there be a Vijay film without online sensations? The first single Thalapathy Kacheri dropped a month ago and has raked in more than 84 million views on YouTube; Oru Pere Varalaaru has been viewed at least 34 million times in the 10 days since its online debut.

Other key facts I need to know...

According to Business Today, Vijay was paid a whopping Rs 2.75 billion as remuneration. Amazon Prime Video has bought Jana Nayagan's digital rights for Rs 1.21 billion (Dh 50 million approximately). Zee Tamil has secured the film's satellite rights for Rs 640 million, according to the Tamil daily Dina Malar.

What is unique about the release date?

The Pongal holiday (Makara Sankranti outside Tamil Nadu) is a key release date for filmmakers, with tentpoles making a beeline for it (aside from Deepavali, Tamil New Year and India's Independence Day). This time, Jana Nayagan is clashing with Parasakthi, a period thriller drama helmed by Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan and Sreeleela, within the state and the horror fantasy drama The Raja Saab, outside of it.

Parasakthi's release date advancement, from January 14 to 10, has added a political touch to the impending box-office clash. The movie is distributed by Red Giant Pictures, founded by the DMK's Udhayanidhi Stalin.

Finally, the elephant in the room: Is Jana Nayagan a remake of Nandamuri Balakrishna's Bhagavanth Kesari ?

Speculations of a remake rose especially after the film's first single released, in which Vijay can be seen dancing along with Pooja Hegde and Mamitha Baiju-and people noticed similarities in it with a hit number from the Telugu film. However, H Vinoth quelled such speculations at the event by terming Jana Nayagan as a“100 per cent entertaining and engaging movie”.“For those of you wondering if the film is a remake, a remake in parts or a poorly made product, come and watch it (to know the truth),” he said.“To all of them, I only want to say this is a Thalapathy film.”

MENAFN29122025000049011007ID1110533874