Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s swan‑song film Jana Nayagan opens to massive fan celebrations

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s final film, Jana Nayagan, premiered on 23 July 2026 across more than 1,000 screens in the state. The political‑action thriller, directed by H. Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions, marks Vijay’s last on‑screen appearance before dedicating himself fully to politics. After delays caused by Central Board of Film Certification issues and an online leak, the film opened to enthusiastic crowds, with packed theatres from the early morning first‑day‑first‑show screenings. Fans organised festival‑like events—fireworks, drum performances, milk abhishekam, and even drone light shows—while political cadres distributed sweets and rolled out large banners. Box‑office reports show a net collection of ₹24.67 crore and a gross of ₹29.11 crore on day 1, with trade analysts projecting total opening‑day earnings of ₹50‑60 crore in India and up to ₹80‑90 crore worldwide. Reviews are mixed: audiences praise Vijay’s performance and the film’s action sequences, but critics note uneven screenplay and pacing. The post‑credit montage, featuring a tribute to Vijay’s three‑decade career, prompted many viewers to cry. Allegations of inflated ticket prices surfaced, but the overall response underscores Vijay’s enduring popularity both as a superstar and as a political leader—the first sitting chief minister after M. G. Ramachandran to have a film released while in office.