Tamil actor-turned-politician and Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister (CM) Vijay’s much-awaited swansong, Jana Nayagan, is all set to hit the theatres on Friday after suffering numerous delays caused by pending certification. With fan anticipation hitting a fever pitch, the film is being viewed as one of the biggest openings of the year, and trade analysts have predicted a worldwide Day 1 collection of Rs 90 crore.
Vijay in a still from Jana Nayagan
The film carries immense significance as it marks Vijay’s final appearance on the silver screen, after his transition into full-time politics. The actor assumed the office as Tamil Nadu CM in May 2026 after securing a decisive electoral victory with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, making the film both a cinematic farewell and a celebration of his political ascent.
Trade experts predict record-breaking numbers
As per Southern film trade analyst Ramesh Bala, Jana Nayagan has already raked in Rs 20 crore in advance bookings across India, while overseas pre-sales have the logged Rs 15 crore mark, reflecting exceptional demand ahead of release.
Bala further predicted that the film will earn as much as Rs 60 crore in India on its opening day, taking its global Day 1 gross to around Rs 90 crore. Furthermore, he projected an opening weekend haul of Rs 150-Rs 180 crore domestically and Rs 250 crore on a global level.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh, on the other hand, refrained from providing precise figures, but described the film’s opening prospects as ‘thunderous,’ citing stellar advance bookings and Vijay’s unparalleled popularity.
Vijay’s rise in politics adds emotional value
Industry experts believe Vijay’s recent political elevation has amplified the interest of the public in the film. Bala underlined that fans are celebrating not only Thalapathy's final film but also his emergence as Tamil Nadu’s CM. Moreover, he revealed that nearly 80$ of the advance bookings have originated from southern India, indicating that the southern states remain the film’s strongest market, while the buzz in North India is relatively subdued.
UK tops in overseas demand
Meanwhile, international markets have also seen an overwhelming response. According to sources, the United Kingdom (UK) tops the list of the strongest overseas territories, with distribution Ahimsa Entertainment confirming that standalone advance sales have already surged past £1 crore. Notably, the announcement that the film shall be screened there without cuts has further boosted the enthusiasm of the audiences.
Can Jana Nayagan rewrite Vijay’s box-office history?
The H Vinoth directorial is billed as Vijay’s 69th’s and reportedly final film as a lead actor. Produced by KVN Productions on a budget of close to Rs 500 crore, the film boasts an ensemble cast featuring Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju, Prakash Raj and Bobby Deol, with its music composed by Anirudh Ravichander.
A poster of Jana Nayagan
The biggest question which stands before the film is whether it can surpass the worldwide box-office collection of Vijay’s previous blockbusters, such as Leo (Rs 606 crore) and the Greatest of All Time (Rs 458 crore).
With extraordinary fan enthusiasm, robust advance bookings and impressive demand overseas, the film appears well-positioned to script a significant milestone in Vijay’s illustrious acting journey.