'Jana Nayagan': STR, Jiiva, Ravi Mohan Lead Support for Vijay Film's Release From Tamil Industry

The Tamil film industry witnessed an outpouring of support after actor-politician Vijay’s final film outing was held back from release. Jana Nayagan, Vijay’s last screen appearance before entering full-time politics, missed its intended release date of January 9 following a delay in censor clearance. Earlier this week, the Madras High Court reserved its order on a plea filed by the makers challenging the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) decision to withhold a censor certificate.

On Friday, the Madras High Court allowed a writ petition filed by KVN Productions LLP and ordered the issuance of U/A 16+ certificate to the film. However, the CBFC then made an immediate mention before the Chief Justice’s Bench for an urgent hearing of a writ appeal to be filed against the order.

As audiences await a new release date from the makers, several of Vijay’s colleagues and contemporaries have voiced their solidarity.

Taking to X on January 8, actor Jiiva expressed his support for the Tamil superstar. “When the wait gets longer, the impact gets bigger. Always beside you, today and every day #Thalapathy @actorvijay na. You are truly our Janangalin Nayagan. We are coming – Delayed but not defeated! #JanaNayagan,” he wrote.

Silambarasan TR, popularly known as Simbu or STR, extended his support, emphasising that the real celebration would begin only with the film’s release. “Dear Vijay anna, setbacks have never stopped you. You’ve crossed bigger storms than this. This too shall pass. Real Thiruvizha (festival) begins on the day Jana Nayagan releases,” he wrote.

Actor Ravi Mohan, whose film Parasaakthi is slated to release this week, wrote, “You don’t need a date.. you are the opening. Whenever that date is.. Pongal only starts then.”

Filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj, meanwhile, penned a detailed note expressing frustration over what he described as a difficult period for the film industry, highlighting how both big-budget and independent films are being affected.

“Some Thoughts just as a Lover of CINEMA!! No theatres for a Low budget Indie film #Salliyargal. Censor delay causing postponement of a Big budget Big Star like Vijay Sir’s film #JanaNayagan slated to release tomorrow… Bookings are yet to open in many centres due to issue of certificate for other Big budget film #Parasakthi slated to release day after tomorrow… Tough times for Cinema!!” he wrote.

Subbaraj stressed the central role theatres play in sustaining independent cinema, particularly at a time when satellite and OTT platforms are reluctant to acquire low-budget films. “Theatres need to be more supportive for indie low budget films … Coz Big Satellite & OTT players are not so keen to buy indie films leaving Theatres as only source for revenue for Low budget films…. Not giving theatres for low budget films literally means Killing Cinema !!”

Addressing the impact of censorship timelines on large productions, he added that rigid certification schedules place immense pressure on filmmakers during post-production.

“For Big budget films… The strict timeline rules for Censors (India & Overseas) is really hard to follow and puts lot of pressure on Filmmakers creative space during Post Production especially when ur doing a Big budget film with release date already announced… With current timeline rules for both Indian and overseas censors, the ideal time for a film to be fully completed is 3 months before release date… Which is Highly impossible for many reasons.…”

Calling for collective action, Subbaraj urged industry stakeholders and the censor board to work towards a more streamlined process. “This has to be streamlined and shud be made bit easy for Filmmakers… Both from the board the producers and the Stars… Otherwise postponement of Big films on festivals dates will eventually Kill Industry!!”

Jana Nayagan is directed by H Vinoth and also features Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol and Mamitha Baiju.