The countdown has officially begun! Thalapathy Vijay’s final cinematic masterpiece, “Jana Nayagan”, hits screens worldwide this Friday, January 9, 2026.

For millions of fans, this is not just another movie release; it is an emotional farewell. As Vijay prepares to step away from the limelight to focus entirely on his political journey with his party (TVK), the expectations for his “Last Dance” are sky-high. However, the road to release hasn’t been entirely smooth. From record-breaking pre-sales in Kerala to a shocking “AI watermark” controversy that has taken the internet by storm, here is our deep-dive analysis of everything trending right now.

The “Google Gemini” Controversy: Lazy Editing or Hidden Message?

The biggest talking point on social media right now isn’t the high-octane action or Anirudh’s background score—it is a technical mistake.

In the recently released trailer, there is a sequence depicting a futuristic, high-tech control room filled with screens and robotic assistants. While the visual effects looked stunning at first glance, eagle-eyed fans on Twitter (X) and Reddit spotted a major blunder. In the top right corner of one of the background screens, a faint Google Gemini AI watermark is clearly visible.

Why are fans angry? The hashtag #LazyEditing started trending within hours. Fans are asking a valid question: For a movie with a massive budget of over ₹300 Crores, how was a free AI tool’s default logo left in the final cut?

• The Criticism: Many feel that using AI for background generation is acceptable, but failing to remove the watermark shows a lack of quality control for such a prestigious project.

• The Counter-Theory: Some die-hard fans argue this might be intentional. Since the movie deals with “Data Politics” and the dangers of modern technology, could this be a subtle “Easter Egg” left by director H. Vinoth?

• Our Verdict: While the “Easter Egg” theory is interesting, it is most likely a post-production oversight. We expect the team to blur or remove this before the final theatrical print is shipped.

The Big Fear: Is it a Remake of “Bhagavanth Kesari”?

Apart from the AI issue, the second biggest worry for fans is the storyline. Is Jana Nayagan a remake?

As soon as the trailer dropped, comparisons were made to Nandamuri Balakrishna’s 2023 Telugu blockbuster, “Bhagavanth Kesari”. In that film, Balakrishna plays an older, protective figure who trains his niece to become a strong army officer.

• The Similarity: In Jana Nayagan, Vijay is seen in a similar “salt-and-pepper” look, acting as a guardian to a young girl (played by the talented Mamitha Baiju). The training montages in the trailer look strikingly similar to the Telugu hit.

• H. Vinoth’s Clarification: Director H. Vinoth has gone on record to deny these rumors. He stated that while the “father-daughter bonding” emotion is the core of the film, the screenplay is an original political thriller written specifically for Vijay’s political entry.

• What to Expect: unlike the over-the-top mass style of Bhagavanth Kesari, H. Vinoth is known for grounded, gritty storytelling (like Theeran). Fans can expect a more logical and intense narrative rather than a scene-by-scene remake.

Kerala Box Office: The “Fortress” Holds Strong

Kerala has always been Thalapathy Vijay’s strongest territory outside Tamil Nadu, and Jana Nayagan is proving that once again. The pre-sales figures are nothing short of historic.

• Sold Out in Minutes: When bookings opened yesterday, FDFS tickets in major centers like Aresplex (Trivandrum) and Kavitha (Kochi) were sold out in under 10 minutes.

• Beating the Records: Trade analysts predict a ₹10-12 Crore opening day in Kerala alone. If achieved, this will shatter the records previously held by Leo and GOAT.

• The Atmosphere: Fan clubs across Malabar and Travancore have organized massive “Chenda Melam” (drum beats) and cut-out processions starting as early as 2 AM, proving that Vijay’s stardom in Kerala is unmatched.

FDFS Timings: When Does the Celebration Start?

Don’t be late! We have compiled the official First Day First Show timings for January 9th into this handy card. Save this!