In an incident occurring in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, on July 24, over 50 workers of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) were detained after they protested outside the Amirtharaj Theatre. The protest was triggered by the alleged screening of a video that mocked the electoral defeat of the party’s candidate, Vijayaprabakaran, during a special screening of the recently released film ‘Jana Nayagan’, featuring actor and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Vijay.

The demonstrators called for an apology from Selvam Amirtharaj, a former Congress MLA, claiming that the video was created by his supporters. The police intervened and detained the protestors to manage the escalating situation.

Details of the Controversial Screening

‘Jana Nayagan’ was shown across three theatres in Virudhunagar on July 23, with a special fan show attended by Selvam Amirtharaj. During this event, a video allegedly produced by the MLA’s supporters was played, which included a recorded news clip that announced Vijayaprabakaran’s defeat in the previous Tamil Nadu Assembly election. This was in the Virudhunagar constituency, where Vijayaprabakaran is the son of the late DMDK founder, Vijayakanth.

The video also showcased Selvam Amirtharaj’s election campaign and his presence at public events post-victory. DMDK cadres expressed their outrage, accusing the creators of the video of intentionally belittling Vijayaprabakaran’s electoral loss.

In response to the video, more than 50 DMDK workers attempted to disrupt the screening by laying siege to the Amirtharaj Theatre located near the Old Bus Stand in Virudhunagar. Their actions were met with police intervention, leading to their detention.

Wider Celebrations for ‘Jana Nayagan’

Meanwhile, celebrations for the release of ‘Jana Nayagan’ took place across the state on July 23. Members of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and actor Vijay’s fans celebrated the film, which reportedly marked Vijay’s last cinematic project before fully entering politics. The movie was released in over 1,000 theatres, and jubilant scenes were reported in various districts, including Ramanathapuram.

In Ramanathapuram, TVK district secretary Malarvizhi Jayapala led a group of executives in greeting moviegoers and distributing sweets outside the theatre. The release was met with celebratory activities, including dancing, music, and confetti, turning multiple cinema halls into festive venues across districts like Nilgiris and Ranipet.

Additionally, fans of Vijay in cities such as Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru marked the occasion with large cut-outs of the actor and cake cutting, further enhancing the excitement surrounding the film.

Filmmaking Journey and Challenges

‘Jana Nayagan’ was initially scheduled for release on January 9, coinciding with Pongal, but faced delays due to issues with certification. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) withheld its certification due to concerns that certain scenes might offend religious sentiments, disappointing many fans who had eagerly anticipated its release.

Directed by H Vinoth, the film features a notable cast including Mamitha Baiju, Prakash Raj, Bobby Deol, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Priyamani, Pooja Hegde and Narain. It also showcases music by Anirudh Ravichander, with cinematography led by Sathyan Sooryan, editing by Pradeep E Ragav, and production design by V Selvakumar.

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