Cinema VinesAcross Tamil Nadu, fans and party cadres celebrated the release of former Chief Minister Vijay’s final film, Jana Nayagan, with a wave of cultural events, drone displays and large banners that turned theatres into festive hubs. The film hit the big screen on Thursday, and the day was marked by performances, laser shows and even a drone spectacle at the Woodlands and Casino theatres in Chennai, where crowds danced to upbeat tunes and watched the sky lit up with laser beams.
In the capital, giant cut‑outs of the actor‑politician were erected outside cinemas and at major crossroads, while Vijay himself, accompanied by officials, attended a special screening on Wednesday evening. The event was reported by PTI, and the atmosphere was described as a festival comparable to Diwali or Pongal by state Transport Minister Vijay Tamilan Parthiban, who also noted that he had a cameo in the film.
Party members and supporters joined the celebrations, with TVK legislator KV Vijaydhamu saying he would put aside his MLA duties to enjoy the movie as a fan. He added that a batch of 100 helmets would be distributed in Chennai as souvenirs, in the presence of TVK leader and Minister N Anand. The release was described by Kamala Cinemas director Vishnu Kamal as “not merely a film but a festival,” with plans for milk abishekam, annadhanam and fireworks.
Despite the festive mood, the day was not without controversy. Allegations of inflated ticket prices surfaced, and a video clip of a heated argument circulated on social media over the rise in rates. A distributor claimed that the Puducherry government had allowed a special 7‑am morning show, and that the state had permitted five daily screenings for the first week of the film’s release.
Overall, the opening day of Jana Nayagan saw a blend of cinematic enthusiasm and political celebration, as Vijay’s fans and his party members turned the film’s debut into a statewide festival that highlighted the actor’s dual legacy as both a star and the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
