Vijay became CM, but his final film still can’t hit theatres

The release uncertainty surrounding Jana Nayagan continues to grow after producer Venkat K Narayana confirmed that the film is still awaiting certification from the Central Board of Film Certification nearly five months after its scheduled release date. Directed by H. Vinoth and starring C. Joseph Vijay, the film was originally planned for a grand Pongal release on January 9, 2026. However, the movie ran into censor-related complications just days before release after objections were reportedly raised by a member of the examining committee. The issue led to the film being referred to the revising committee, effectively stalling the certification process. Despite legal attempts by the filmmakers to resolve the issue, the project has remained stuck for months without official clearance. Speaking to reporters after visiting a temple on Friday, producer Venkat K Narayana admitted that the film still had not received the censor certificate. Though he avoided discussing details extensively, he said the team remained hopeful about an early approval and release. He added that the release date would only be announced after the certification process is completed and assured fans that the makers planned to release the film worldwide in a “grand way.” The controversy surrounding the film intensified after an HD print of Jana Nayagan was leaked online even before the movie obtained CBFC certification. The leak triggered widespread circulation of pirated copies on social media and illegal websites. The matter later reached the Madras High Court, which recently refused bail to six people accused of watching and distributing the leaked version online. During the hearing, the prosecution argued that lakhs of people had illegally viewed the film before its official release, calling it a serious cyber and piracy offence. Vijay reportedly stepped in personally. Recent reports also claimed that Vijay personally intervened in the release issue. According to industry reports, the actor-politician asked producer Venkat K Narayana to cut short his trip to the Cannes Film Festival and return to Chennai to focus on the film’s stalled release process. Venkat had reportedly travelled to Cannes for screenings and business meetings before being called back. The delay has become particularly significant because Jana Nayagan is widely expected to be Vijay’s final film before fully focusing on his political career. Interestingly, the title Jana Nayagan, which means “People’s Leader”, has gained even more attention after Vijay became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu earlier this year. Speaking about it, producer Venkat said he felt happy that Vijay had now truly become a “Jana Nayagan” in real life as well. The film also features Mamitha Baiju, Pooja Hegde and Bobby Deol in important roles, while music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander. Fans continue to wait for an official update on when the long-delayed film will finally hit theatres.