‘Jana Nayakan’ Release in Crisis: Film Faces Possible Election Code Hurdles, Kollywood Suffers Billions in Losses

The release of Thalapathy Vijay’s much-anticipated film ‘Jana Nayakan’ is facing mounting challenges. While no clear release date has been announced, the upcoming assembly elections could further complicate matters, potentially entangling the film in the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

Release Delays Impact Kollywood
Initially slated for a grand release on 9 January, Jana Nayakan has been delayed due to disputes over its censor certificate and pending decisions in the High Court. This roughly one-month delay has caused significant losses for theatre owners, who were expecting a full house for Vijay’s political debut after his acting career. Analysts estimate that the industry may have suffered a financial setback of around ₹100 crore due to the postponement.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has yet to issue a release certificate. The High Court’s division bench recently nullified a single-bench directive ordering the certificate and directed a fresh hearing before a single bench, leaving the film’s release uncertain. KVN Productions, the makers of Jana Nayakan, have not provided a definitive timeline for release.

Box Office Losses
Trade analyst Ramesh Bala told India Today that the delay has hit the Tamil Nadu box office hard. The film was expected to compete with Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi during Pongal and could have easily earned ₹150–200 crore in the state alone. In comparison, Parasakthi collected ₹55 crore.

February Release Rumours
There are rumours that if the legal disputes are resolved, Jana Nayakan may release in February. However, Bala cautions that the ongoing legal uncertainty, combined with the Tamil Nadu assembly election schedule, could limit the film’s theatrical run and earnings to ₹15–20 crore if released later in the month.

Election Code Could Affect Screening
Once the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect, the Election Commission can restrict screenings of films with political themes. Given Vijay’s full-fledged political participation this election season with his party TVK, Jana Nayakan may be allowed a limited theatrical window, further adding to the uncertainty.

Industry Experts Predict Losses of at Least ₹100 Crore
Bala adds, “Karthi’s Va Vathiyar, released during Pongal, flopped, while Jiiva’s Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil earned roughly ₹30 crore in Tamil Nadu. Overall, the state box office earned around ₹85 crore in January. Considering the delay, Jana Nayakan’s absence has cost the industry at least ₹100 crore.”

Theatre Owners Express Concern
Theatre owners in Chennai have warned that continued delays could create a situation similar to Bollywood, where single-screen theatres are closing and multiplex chains dominate. Ruben Mathivanan, owner of GK Cinemas, emphasized the need for a clear release schedule to stabilize the market and protect Kollywood’s ecosystem.

Potential to Revive Q1 Box Office
Owners see Jana Nayakan as a key opportunity to revive the first quarter of 2026, which has lacked big-budget entertainers after films like Bison and Dood. While smaller releases like Aan Pavum Polathadhu and Sirai performed moderately, Vijay’s film could have returned the box office to strong footing.

Vijay Speaks Out
Addressing the controversy, Thalapathy Vijay told NDTV that he feels for the makers who are incurring losses due to the delay. He acknowledged that his political involvement was likely to make his films a target, stating, “All of this is happening because of politics, and that is why my films are being targeted.”