Amid growing uncertainty surrounding its certification, Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan has been officially postponed, sending ripples across the box office and trade circles. The development came to light on January 7, when the film’s distributors in Europe and Malaysia took to X to announce that the release had been cancelled. The film, which was earlier slated for a grand theatrical release on January 9, has now been shelved, with the makers yet to announce a new release date.
CBFC clearance delayed
The postponement comes after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) failed to issue the required certificate ahead of the release. With the certification status remaining uncertain, the producers approached the Madras High Court seeking urgent relief in a bid to stick to the original release date. However, the court reserving its order has further complicated the film’s timeline. The episode has once again reignited debates around certification delays and release deadlines for high-profile films.
Vijay’s film peaks in advance bookings
Ironically, the deferral was announced just as excitement around Jana Nayagan had reached a fever pitch. Advance bookings had already opened across Tamil Nadu, triggering unprecedented demand for tickets. Reports of black-market sales raised eyebrows, with first-day, first-show tickets allegedly selling for as much as Rs 5,000—far exceeding the government-mandated cap of Rs 190.The ticketing frenzy left many fans frustrated, who described the process as exhausting and chaotic, reiterating that every Vijay release turns into a full-scale event.
Troubles continue for Jana Nayagan’s theatrical release
Beyond the certification hurdle, behind-the-scenes issues have exposed structural weaknesses within the exhibition ecosystem. Industry sources point to bulk ticket purchases by fan clubs and the aggressive practices of resellers as key factors behind the price surge. Additionally, revenue-sharing disputes between producers and theatre owners have added to the strain.Distributors claim that producers are demanding up to an 80 per cent revenue share, leaving exhibitors with slim margins and dampening enthusiasm to screen the film. Collectively, these factors have turned what was meant to be a celebratory release into a flashpoint, making the postponement not merely a logistical decision but also a reflection of deeper industry-wide challenges.
