With the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections just months away, Jana Nayagan, set for a Pongal release, is widely seen as a campaign vehicle for Vijay and his party.
Published Dec 29, 2025 | 10:37 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 29, 2025 | 10:37 PM
Actor Vijay
Synopsis: Actor-turned politician Vijay has announced that Jana Nayagan will be his final film, bringing to a close a 33-year career in Tamil cinema as he turns his full attention to politics. He confirmed the decision at the film’s audio launch in Malaysia, signalling his intent to focus his efforts full time on the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. Jana Nayagan, set for a Pongal release, is widely seen as a clear political vehicle for Vijay’s campaign for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Over three decades after his debut as a lead actor in the 1992 Tamil film Naalaiya Theerpu, actor-turned politician Vijay has announced that his upcoming film Jana Nayagan will be his final silver screen appearance.
After launching his party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in February 2024, speculation intensified over Vijay’s future in cinema. At the launch, in his very first statement, Vijay himself hinted at the possibility.
“I wish to fully involve myself in politics. I will complete the commitments related to one remaining film that I have already agreed to, in a way that does not hinder party work, and then fully dedicate myself to people-centric politics. I consider this my debt of gratitude to the people of Tamil Nadu,” he had said.
After Jana Nayagan, his 69th film, was announced, talk of it being the actor’s final film grew. At the audio launch held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Malaysia, in the presence of thousands of fans, on Saturday, 29 December, Vijay made it official.
“For the people who have left everything and stood by me all these years, I am leaving cinema,” he said.
Jana Nayagan, directed by filmmaker H Vinoth, is set to release worldwide on 9 January, ahead of the Pongal festival.
Reports suggest that the film contains elements aligned with the politics of the TVK. With just four to five months remaining before the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, it has been widely discussed as a campaign vehicle for Vijay and the party.
“Some are asking whether Vijay will come alone or with allies. When have I ever been alone? You have all always been with me. How can it be said that I am coming alone?” Vijay said, speaking at the event.
“For 33 years, I have been with the people. There should be some suspense. 2026. History repeats itself.”
His words were seen as clearly pointing towards the Assembly elections.
When several actors and celebrities present at the event posed questions to Vijay and urged him to continue acting, Vijay responded, “For the people who have left everything and come for me all these years, I am willing to give up cinema.”
Vijay’s political ambitions are not new. As early as 2013, the words “It’s time to lead” featured on posters of his film Thalaivaa, triggering intense speculation that Vijay was preparing to enter politics. At the time, the film’s release itself faced major hurdles.
Later, in the 2018 film Sarkar, Vijay was shown speaking against “freebies”, with scenes depicting people throwing down and breaking government-distributed items such as mixers and laptops.
The film also contained scenes that sharply criticised the ruling government, and its climax portrayed Vijay’s movement taking over the governance of Tamil Nadu.
Through his films and songs, Vijay had been softly signalling his political intentions for years. Finally, in February 2024, he formally launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
