06 January,2026 05:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Jana Nayagan and Parasakthi stills
This week's major Pongal battle in Tamil cinema will pit Sivakarthikeyan's Parasakthi against Vijay's farewell flick, Jana Nayagan. However, a Tamil Nadu theater claimed to have been mistreated and demonized by Vijay's supporters when they chose to broadcast Parasakthi rather than Jana Nayagan. The theater's administration even criticized Vijay's followers on social media.
Vasu Cinemas in Kumbakonam clarified on X (previously Twitter) that they had decided to screen Parasakthi instead of Jana Nayagan this Pongal for "several reasons." Fans were also reminded that, with the exception of a few, including Nanban, Theri, Sarkar, and Beast, all Vijay films have been shown in their theaters for the past fifteen years.
They added that choosing Parasakthi doesn't mean they respect Vijay less."After we posted about signing #Parasakthi, we received comments on X and Instagram that were shocking. We urge you to read them yourselves and ask were they fair or justified in any sense? The level of abuse, vulgarity and curses went so far that it seriously disturbed our mental peace. Please take a moment to reflect."
In order to appease the audience, the theater management wrote, "Vijay is not just a star, he is a remarkable human being." "It sucks to be unable to see your favorite star's movie at your favorite theater, and I well understand how frustrating it is. However, this is his last movie," they stated, adding, "Please go to the theater, enjoy the film, and celebrate it to the fullest instead of abusing and attacking."
However, Vijay's fans were unwilling to hear it and intensified their defense. "During the Covid era, he assisted in revitalizing theaters." One fan remarked, "And yet we're here reading theater owners' justifications for why they can't screen Jananagayan." "I simply won't be attending this theater going forward. "Easy," another irate fan wrote. "Enjoy screening whatever you want. We don't care anymore. If you had respect, you would have taken his last film. But you don't. Get lost!" said one admirer.
Vijay's last movie before joining the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party would be H Vinoth's Jana Nayagan. There are rumors that the movie, which also stars Bobby Deol, Pooja Hegde, and Mamitha Baiju, is a remake of Bhagavanth Kesari. On January 9, it will be released in theaters. On January 10, Sudha Kongara's Parasakthi, starring Sivakarthikeyan, Sreeleela, and Ravi Mohan, will be released in theaters.
