As anticipation continues to build, Jana Nayagan, widely regarded as Vijay’s swan song before his political career, may still land in cinemas during one of the most lucrative periods of the year. According to industry reports, the makers are eyeing a Republic Day release, subject to a favourable ruling from the Madras High Court later this month.
The legal battle surrounding the film’s censor certificate took a new turn on Thursday when the Supreme Court directed the producers back to the Madras High Court, where the matter is expected to be heard around January 20. If the stay is lifted and no further appeals are pursued, KVN Productions is likely to lock in a national holiday release.
For a film of Jana Nayagan’s scale, timing is critical. Republic Day offers not just a holiday boost but also symbolic resonance, given the film’s political thriller narrative and Vijay’s imminent transition into public life. Trade analysts believe a release during this window could translate into historic opening numbers, whether the film arrives on the holiday itself or just ahead of it.
The confidence is rooted in staggering pre-release figures. Before the postponement, Jana Nayagan had reportedly clocked ₹100 crore in worldwide advance bookings, including nearly ₹40 crore overseas on day one alone. The delay forced mass refunds, severely impacting overseas exhibitors and resulting in approximately ₹6 crore worth of ticket refunds in Karnataka.
Despite the temporary setback, trade experts see the delay as a pause rather than a dent. Such extraordinary pre-release demand is rarely witnessed in Indian cinema, underscoring Vijay’s enduring box office pull. Once a new date is confirmed, the film is expected to rebound with renewed momentum.
Directed by H Vinoth, Jana Nayagan (Hindi title: Jan Neta) features an ensemble cast including Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Vasudev Menon, and Prakash Raj, with Anirudh Ravichander handling the music. If the court verdict goes the makers’ way, the film could be poised for one of the biggest releases in recent Indian cinema history.
