Jana Nayagan
Jana Nayagan is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language political action thriller film directed by H. Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions. The film stars Vijay, Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol and Mamitha Baiju, alongside Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Narain and Priyamani. A remake of the 2023 Telugu film Bhagavanth Kesari, it is intended to be the final film appearance of Vijay before his entry into politics, and KVN Productions' first production in Tamil.
The film was officially announced in September 2024 under the tentative title Thalapathy 69, as it is Vijay's 69th film as a lead actor, and the official title was announced in January 2025. Principal photography commenced in October 2024 in Chennai continued by a schedule in Payanoor, which was again followed by two additional schedules also held at the former location, and wrapped by August 2025. The film has music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography handled by Sathyan Sooryan and editing by Pradeep E. Ragav.
Initially scheduled to release on 9 January 2026, the film has since been indefinitely delayed due to [|censorship issues], a case was filed by the producers deeming for the certification and has been delayed since then..
Cast
, Lokesh Kanagaraj, and Nelson Dilipkumar in a cameo appearance.Production
Development
On 2 February 2024, Vijay announced through his social media accounts that he would step into politics after completing his ongoing projects, The Greatest of All Time and another film tentatively titled Thalapathy 69. The Times of India suggested Karthik Subbaraj would direct the project, with Sun Pictures producing, while Pinkvilla noted that the director had not been finalised, naming Anil Ravipudi, H. Vinoth, Subbaraj or Atlee as potential choices. Later, Vetrimaaran emerged as a possibility, with the project reportedly being funded by D. V. V. Danayya's DVV Entertainment. However, in March, Vetrimaaran confirmed that he was not involved, narrowing the options to Trivikram and Vinoth. Reports soon suggested Vinoth was likely to direct. Director RJ Balaji revealed that Vijay had considered scripts from 15–20 directors, including himself, for the project.While working on Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru and Mersal respectively, Vinoth had narrated a script to Vijay, who declined. Vinoth later approached Kamal Haasan, who was impressed and signed him for his 233rd film. However, the project was shelved due to delays in Haasan's Indian 2. Vinoth revisited Vijay with the script, who reportedly accepted a deal, making him the highest-paid Indian actor, surpassing Shah Rukh Khan and Rajinikanth. In August, Vinoth confirmed his role as director, receiving 15–20 crore, with Venkat K. Narayana's KVN Productions funding the project in their first Tamil venture. Vijay's manager, Jagadish Palanisamy, and Lohith N. K. serve as co-producers. The film was made on a budget. The project was set to be announced on 22 June, Vijay's birthday, with shooting commencing from the following month, but was postponed at the actor's request. The company made a public announcement on 14 September, confirming the project, and the official title Jana Nayagan was announced on 26 January 2025, Republic Day.
Following the release of its trailer in January 2026, Jana Nayagan sparked online speculation that it may be inspired by or a remake of the 2023 Telugu film Bhagavanth Kesari, with many viewers noting perceived similarities between the two films. The following week, Bhagavanth Kesari producer Sahu Garapati confirmed to The New Indian Express that Jana Nayagan is a remake, and that writer-director Anil Ravipudi would receive credit. Reportedly, KVN Productions purchased the rights specifically for a scene regarding child abuse, which had a significant impact on Vijay. In January 2026, during an interview, Ravipudi revealed that Vijay insisted him to direct the Tamil remade version but he declined due to other plans.
Pre-production
When Vinoth was committed to Haasan's 233rd film, he received changes from the actor which went to the final script and was narrated to Vijay. Although Vijay was highly impressed with the script, he had reportedly advised the director to make some changes. Vinoth said the film would be made completely in Vijay's style, unlike his previous films, which he considered to be political. However, the poster announcement of the film, which featured the tagline "torch bearer of democracy", made some media question the film's genre.A muhurat puja was held on 4 October 2024, the second day of Navaratri, at Prime Studio in Chennai with the film's cast and crew. In early October 2024, Sathyan Sooryan was announced as the cinematographer, marking his second film with Vinoth after Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru and Vijay after Master. Anirudh Ravichander would score the music, in his first collaboration with the director. Vinoth had further chosen technicians in his maiden collaboration, including editor Pradeep E. Ragav, stunt choreographer Anl Arasu, art director V. Selvakumar, costume designer Pallavi Singh and choreographer Sekhar VJ and Sudhan, while retaining publicity designer Gopi Prasannaa. Ramkumar Balasubramaniam was appointed as executive producer of the film by the production house.
Casting
Vijay had reportedly finalised his look for his character at a look test, which was reportedly in early–August at a studio in Chennai. Pooja Hegde was confirmed as the female lead, in her second collaboration with Vijay after Beast also marking her fourth Tamil film after Mugamoodi, Beast and Retro. She reportedly received a remuneration of. Hegde's statement after the formal launch, "Halamithi and Habibo Reunites", a reference to the first single from Beast, "Arabic Kuthu", went viral on social media. Hindi actor Bobby Deol was confirmed to play the main antagonist, in his second Tamil film following Kanguva. Reports suggest he was paid a remuneration of.Gautham Vasudev Menon, Narain, Priyamani and Prakash Raj would play prominent roles. Menon would make his second collaboration with Vijay after Leo, while Raj would also collaborate with the actor for the seventh time, after namely working together in Ghilli and Varisu. Malayalam actress Mamitha Baiju would make her Tamil sophomore after Rebel with this film. All of their inclusions were confirmed by the production house in early-October 2024. Monisha Blessy was featured in the muhurat puja, thereby confirming her inclusion. Teejay Arunasalam joined the film in a prominent role, while Reba Monica John was also cast in a prominent role. During the promotions of Bhairathi Ranagal, Shiva Rajkumar stated that he was approached by Vinoth for an important role, but the offer was later withdrawn for reasons unknown. The Times of India reported based on Indiaglitz reports in March 2025 that Nizhalgal Ravi would be reuniting with Vijay in this film after namely working collaborating in Naan Sigappu Manithan and Kaavalan. Revathi was reportedly cast to portray the role of Vijay's mother, reuniting with the latter after Thamizhan. Srinath, television actor Arun Kumar Rajan, and Irfan Zaini were confirmed in the film. Srinath would make his fifth collaboration with Vijay, while Zaini would make his third.
Filming
began with the first schedule on 5 October 2024 at Prasad Studios in Chennai. Filming started with a song sequence, picturised on Vijay and Pooja featuring 500 background artists under the choreography by Sekhar, at a massively erected set which was built prior to the filming's commencement, in September, under the supervision by V. Selvakumar. The song sequence completed filming on 10 October. After that, Vinoth reportedly completed some portions in 8 days, which were supposed to take 10 days. Initially, the second schedule was planned to take place in Hyderabad, but the production remained in Chennai at the request of Vijay. The team erected a huge set in Payanoor near Chennai for the second schedule. After Vijay completed his political commitments, the schedule commenced on 4 November. Vijay and Hegde joined the schedule in Chennai.During this schedule, Vijay and Vinoth met with the jawans and their families at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai. In mid November, shooting happened at AVIT, Vinayaka Mission Law College, Chennai. Later the production moved to Thiruporur, where a set was erected for action sequences. After a reported seven days of rehearsals in late November, production resumed at a constructed set in Chennai with an action sequence between Vijay and Deol, which lasted for three weeks. Hegde simultaneously filmed her portions in this schedule while filming her portions for Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, which were completed by 3 December. Vijay and Hegde resumed the shooting in mid December which reportedly went for a week. The second schedule was completed on 21 December at a beach in Chennai. Reportedly, 40% of the film's shooting had been completed by schedule.
The third schedule was reported to begin from second week of January 2025 after a short break for the New Year, but did not happen. The same month, Pinkvilla reported that the makers were planning on completing filming by May 2025 so that Vijay could focus on his political commitments. In late January, the production house stated that around 69% of the filming was completed. After the set work completion, the third schedule began in early-February 2025 in Chennai. During the schedule, Vijay met his fan Unnikannan on the sets who had walked from Kerala to meet the actor. Action sequences featuring Vijay, Deol and Prakash Raj was shot in this schedule. In mid-February 2025, shooting took place on the outskirts of Chennai. In late February, Vijay took a break from filming to focus on his political commitments. On 8 March 2025, Vijay uploaded a video from the sets, wishing women a happy International Women's Day. The same month, it was reported a sequence featuring directors Lokesh Kanagaraj, Nelson Dilipkumar and Atlee in cameo appearances was shot.
The next schedule began in late March at Chennai. In early-April, the filming took place in Tr Garden at Porur. Vijay completed filming his portions by 29 May. The producers were reported to have planned a farewell event for the actor after completing his portions; however, the actor declined, stating he would become too emotional. On 15 June, Hegde announced that she had completed filming her portions. In July 2025, it was reported that the film is in the final stage of shooting. In late July 2025, shooting took place in Sivaganga and Erode. Principal photography wrapped by August 2025.