Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is all set to enthrall audiences with his film Jana Nayagan, releasing across nearly 1,000 screens in Tamil Nadu on Thursday. The actor-turned-politician watched the film with his family at the Tagore Film Centre in Adyar, Chennai, on Wednesday, a day before its statewide release. The special screening was attended by Vijay’s parents and senior government officials, including Chief Secretary Sai Kumar and the film’s producer Venkata Narayana.
Originally scheduled for release on January 9, Jana Nayagan was delayed due to certification issues from the Central Board of Film Certification. The film also suffered a setback after portions were leaked online, but this has not dampened public enthusiasm for Vijay’s final appearance on the big screen. Online ticket bookings have witnessed an overwhelming response, with shows selling out within minutes of reservations opening. Trade analysts estimate that domestic advance bookings have crossed Rs 15 crore and project an opening-day collection of Rs 50 crore to Rs 60 crore across India.
Fans have alleged widespread black-market ticket sales, with tickets being sold for Rs 500 to Rs 800 at some theatres and black-market prices reportedly touching Rs 2,000. The release has sparked festival-like celebrations across the state, with theatres in several tier-II cities planning special programmes. Theatre owners are confident that audiences will continue to prefer the theatrical experience despite the online leak. Jana Nayagan places Vijay in a rare category, making him only the second Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after M G Ramachandran to have a film released while serving in office.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Mangalorean News