‘Jana Nayagan’: a timeline on the twisting path to theatrical release
Chief Minister Vijay’s last movie as star actor - Jana Nayagan - dropped at theatres across the world after protracted censoring issues, and leaking of high-definition movie footage. Here is a timeline of events.
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Chief Minister Vijay’s last movie as star actor - Jana Nayagan - dropped at theatres across the world after protracted censoring issues, and leaking of high-definition movie footage. Here is a timeline of events.
Updated - July 23, 2026 03:36 pm IST
Fan moment: Fans clicking pictures of a huge cutout of actor and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay placed outside Mukunda Cinemas on Dodda Banaswadi Main Road ahead of the release of his film Jana Nayagan, in Bengaluru on July 22, 2026. | Photo Credit: Allen Egenuse J.
The makers of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay’s last film (as an actor) announced the film’s release date for the second time on July 15, but this time, it was final. After months of waiting, fans flocked to theatres today (July 23, 2026) to catch Vijay’s farewell to acting.
Back in January, when the production firm had announced the movie’s earlier release date for the first time, the Central Board of Film Certification had yet to grant the movie certification. What followed was a protracted back-and-forth with the court and the CBFC over delays in certification until a nine-member review committee granted the movie an ‘A’ certificate.
Roughly seven months after the initial announcement, the makers announced July 23 as the film’s final release date.
In the intervening period, Vijay’s party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had won massively in the State elections and formed the government with allies on May 10. With that sweeping entry into politics, this movie is seen as the last big-screen star moment for fans of his 34-year acting legacy.
Here is a timeline of events.
Published - July 23, 2026 07:06 am IST
Infographics / cinema / entertainment (general) / Tamil cinema
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