On July 23, 2026 (Thursday), Jana Nayagan, starring Tamil Nadu CM and star-actor Vijay hit the screens across the world. Fans across Tamil Nadu turned out in large numbers to celebrate the movie, directed by H Vinoth. Theatres in the state witnessed festive scenes, including drum performances, milk abhishekams on Vijay’s cutouts and posters, and fireworks. The first-day-first-show (FDFS) celebrations reflected the massive anticipation surrounding the film, which is billed as Vijay’s final outing on the silver screen.
Jana Nayagan arrives two months after Vijay assumed office as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, marking his transition from cinema to full-time politics. The film faced censorship hurdles ahead of its release. Despite the controversy, fans flocked to theatres to celebrate their favourite star. Here are some pictures of the celebrations:
STAR WORSHIP: A fan pours milk over Vijay’s poster as part of the first-day celebrations of the Tamil movie ‘Jana Nayagan’ at a theatre in Ramanathapuram. L. BALACHANDAR/THE HINDU
Ecstatic fans wave the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) flag at Casino Theatre in Chennai during the celebrations of the release of Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’. R. RAGU/THE HINDU
A variety of Vijay posters were on display during the FDFS celebrations of ‘Jana Nayagan’ at Rohini Silver Screens in Chennai. SHIVARAJ VEDHAN/THE HINDU
Photo:
R SENTHILKUMAR
FAN FERVOUR: Fans wear headbands bearing the title of Vijay’s final film. ‘Jana Nayagan’ opened to a massive response in Tamil Nadu. PTI
A huge garland adorns a poster of Vijay at a theatre in Ramanathapuram as fans turned up in large numbers to watch ‘Jana Nayagan’. L BALACHANDAR/THE HINDU
Photo:
R SENTHILKUMAR
SELFIE TIME: Fans in Chennai pose for a picture in front of a poster of ‘Jana Nayagan’, Vijay’s last movie directed by H Vinoth. PTI
A sea of fans gathers at Rohini Silver Screens in Chennai for the first-day-first-show of ‘Jana Nayagan’. SHIVARAJ VEDHAN/THE HINDU
Photo:
R SENTHILKUMAR
TRADITIONAL TOUCH: A group of ‘chenda’ drummers participate in the opening day celebrations of ‘Jana Nayagan’ starring Vijay. PTI
Photo:
RAGU R
ONE LAST DANCE: Die-hard fans of Vijay dance and enjoy the celebrations at the Casino Theatre in Chennai ahead of the first show of ‘Jana Nayagan’. R RAGU/THE HINDU
Photo:
RAGU R
A huge cutout of Vijay at the Casino Theatre in Chennai on the release-day of ‘Jana Nayagan’, the political actioner directed by H Vinoth. R RAGU/THE HINDU
Photo:
RAGU R
At the Albert Theatre in Chennai, fans celebrate the release of ‘Jana Nayagan’ with the customary practice of pouring milk over the cutout of Tamil Nadu CM and superstar Vijay. R RAGU/THE HINDU
Published – July 23, 2026 01:13 pm IST
