The final film of Vijay’s career, Jana Nayagan, is here. And across Tamil Nadu, fans and exhibitors have turned its release into a celebration of their Chief Minister and Thalapathy. The film’s release on Thursday is being marked by celebrations, performances, drone shows, and special programmes across Tamil Nadu, with both fans and cadres of Vijay’s party TVK participating.
Event Context
In other places, huge cutouts of the actor-politician were placed outside theatres and in major crossings around Chennai. Vijay himself, along with some officials, watched a special screening of Jana Nayagan here on Wednesday evening, PTI reported.
Tamil Nadu Transport Minister Vijay Tamilan Parthiban said the Jana Nayagan release was a festival like Diwali and Pongal. He told reporters that he, too, has essayed a small role in the film, and it was his golden time. TVK legislator KV Vijaydhamu said, “Tomorrow I will forget that I am an MLA and will enjoy the cinema as a fan.”
Across the state, fans started several initiatives to turn the release into a celebration. Vijaydhamu added that helmets would be given to about 100 people in Chennai as a souvenir in the presence of TVK leader and Minister N Anand.
Fans and TVK cadres, who thronged cinemas, said they wanted to have an “early feel” of the ambience as huge banners hailed the “farewell” movie of their loved actor. Jana Nayagan is Vijay’s final film as an actor, following which the new Tamil Nadu CM will focus on his political career.
Jana Nayagan, directed by H Vinoth, is Vijay’s final film before his full-fledged move to politics. The film was slated for release in January but had to be delayed after it could not obtain the certification from the CBFC. In the meantime, Vijay’s TVK won the TN Assembly Elections, and the star took oath as the state’s CM. The film features a prominent ensemble cast, including Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj and Narain.
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In many theatres, including Woodlands and Casino in Chennai, special cultural performances marked the arrival of the much-awaited film and laser beams shot into the night sky to hail Vijay while fans danced to peppy tunes. A drone show was held in a Chennai theatre late on Wednesday night as fans began to gather in anticipation of the early morning show.
Team Analysis
Alongside celebrations, allegations of the inflated cost of tickets surfaced, and a video clip of arguments was circulated on social media over the “rise” in ticket rates. A film distributor said the Puducherry government has allowed a special morning show at 7 AM. In May, CM Vijay allowed cinemas to screen five shows every day for the first seven days from the film’s release.
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Industry sources said fans had big plans to celebrate the opening day with “milk abishekam” to Vijay’s hoardings, “Annadhanam,” and display of fireworks as well. Director of Kamala Cinemas, Vishnu Kamal, said Jana Nayagan was not merely a film but a festival.
In a social media post, Kamal said that for the first time in history, the 25th day (August 16) celebration show of Jana Nayagan is “Housefull” within just 5 minutes.
