‘Jana Nayagan’ delay: A look back at Vijay’s long history of movie release battles – F’day Spl. Article by Naveen
The postponement of Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’, scheduled for release on January 9, 2026, has sent shockwaves through the industry. As fans navigate the disappointment of this last-minute delay—rooted in a legal battle over censor certification—it serves as a stark reminder that the Vijay’ movie’s release day is often a hard-won victory.
Here is a breakdown of the individual movies in Vijay’s career that faced significant hurdles before they could reach the audience.
‘Jana Nayagan’:
The current crisis surrounding Vijay’s final film involves a standoff with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Despite the makers agreeing to 27 modifications for a “UA 16+” rating, the board referred the film to a Revising Committee following an anonymous complaint about scenes depicting the armed forces and religious sentiments. On January 7, 2026, the Madras High Court reserved its order, forcing a postponement of the worldwide release just 48 hours before the first show.
‘Thuppakki’:
Before it became a trendsetter for action thrillers, ‘Thuppakki’ was nearly derailed by a title dispute. A filmmaker claimed the title was too similar to his registered film Kalla Thuppakki, leading to a legal stay. Furthermore, several Islamic organizations protested the film’s portrayal of a particular community, leading to the blurring of certain scenes and dialogues before it finally cleared for a blockbuster Diwali release.
‘Thalaivaa’:
Perhaps the most emotional hurdle for the actor, ‘Thalaivaa’ faced a “shadow ban” in Tamil Nadu. The tagline “Time to Lead” was perceived as a political provocation against the ruling government. Bomb threats were issued to theaters, and the film was stalled for nearly two weeks in its home state, even as it played successfully in neighbouring Kerala and overseas. Vijay eventually had to release a video appeal to the Chief Minister to facilitate the release.
‘Kaththi’:
The release of ‘Kaththi’ was marred by intense protests from pro-Tamil fringe groups. They alleged that the producers, Lyca Productions, had business ties to the then-Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Theaters in Chennai were vandalized, and the film’s release was only secured after the production house agreed to remove its name and logo from the opening credits and promotional materials.
‘Puli’:
Unlike other political hurdles, ‘Puli’ faced a sudden financial crisis on the morning of its release. Income Tax raids were conducted at Vijay’s residence and the producers’ offices just 24 hours before the premiere. This led to the cancellation of early morning and matinee shows across Tamil Nadu, with the film only hitting screens late in the afternoon once the financial clearances were sorted.
‘Mersal’:
Mersal became a flashpoint for national political debate. After its release, members of the BJP took offense at dialogues criticizing the newly introduced GST and the Digital India initiative. Before the release, the film also faced a major hurdle with the Animal Welfare Board (AWBI), which withheld an NOC (No Objection Certificate) regarding the use of a pigeon and a snake, nearly stopping the Deepavali release the last second.
‘Sarkar’:
Directly attacking the culture of political “freebies,” Sarkar faced immediate backlash from the AIADMK cadre. Protesters tore down banners and demonstrated in front of theaters, demanding the removal of a scene where household appliances (mixers and grinders) were thrown into a fire. To prevent further violence and a potential ban, the makers voluntarily edited out the controversial scenes and muted a specific character name.
‘Master‘:
