Thalapathy Vijay’s highly anticipated film Jana Nayagan faced a dramatic setback after being postponed merely two days before its scheduled release, following a delay in the issuance of the censor certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Despite the absence of CBFC clearance, ticket bookings were opened across select theatres in India and in key international markets, generating massive pre-release buzz and record-breaking demand. However, the sudden postponement has reportedly resulted in financial losses nearing ₹50 crore, dealing a major blow to distributors and exhibitors.
Theatres screening Jana Nayagan have now begun issuing refunds, leaving exhibitors scrambling to manage operational losses and disappointed audiences. The incident has reignited discussions within the film industry about the risks of opening advance bookings without final certification.
Record-Breaking Pre-Sales Despite the Delay
Anticipation for Jana Nayagan peaked after Vijay announced that the film would be his final cinematic outing before entering politics full-time. As the release date approached, demand skyrocketed—especially in Chennai—where tickets were reportedly sold on the black market for as much as ₹5,000 per ticket.
According to box-office tracking portal Sacnilk, Jana Nayagan earned ₹10.68 crore in India through pre-sales, including blocked seats. Industry experts suggest that the actual opening-day potential could have been significantly higher due to inflated black-market pricing.
On the international front, the Vijay-starrer dominated the Sankranti/Pongal release window, outperforming all competing titles—including Prabhas’ The Raja Saab. Reports indicate that Jana Nayagan collected nearly ₹32 crore internationally for its opening day alone, with exceptional momentum in North America, the UK, and Malaysia.
What Lies Ahead?
The last-minute postponement has raised crucial questions about release strategies, certification timelines, and financial accountability in big-budget cinema. While fan anticipation remains sky-high, the impact of the delay on Jana Nayagan’s long-term box-office performance will be closely watched by the industry.
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