Thalapathy
Vijay starrer Jana Nayagan is finally in theatres, after months of delays, certification hassles and even an online leak before its release. And fans made the opening day a celebration worthy of the actor-turned-politician's farewell to cinema. Dancing, fireworks, banners and massive crowds greeted the actor's last movie at packed theatres all over Tamil Nadu and other states for first-day-first-show screenings. Outside cinemas, celebrations were unanimous, and early reactions on social media have painted a clearer picture of the film. Directed by H Vinoth, the movie also stars Pooja Hedge and Bobby Deol, along with Prakash Raj, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Priyamani, Mamitha Baiju, Narain and others.
Fans in awe of Vijay's screen presence
One thing that most of the early viewers agreed upon was that Vijay is still the biggest strength of
Jana Nayagan. Several reactions pointed to his commanding presence on screen, calling his introductory scenes and action sequences "electrifying". Fans also pointed out the title card that saw him introduced as "Chief Minister Vijay," with one calling it a goosebumps-inducing experience. The interval block has also been a big talking point, with several viewers saying that it's the strongest stretch of the film.
A user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Jana Nayagan is not just a film for Tamil Nadu Politics. It’s a revolutionary film for Indian Cinema." Another one said, "#JanaNayagan is a timepass mass-appealing fan and a must for #Vijay's fans and admirers. A star of the masses who’ll always be remembered for generating historic craze in theatres and, of course, for his envious track record."Anirudh Ravichander's music is earning a lot of recognition too. Many users felt that his background score lifted the mass moments of the film, especially in the action sequences.
Supporting cast receives equal praise
Besides Vijay, the viewers also loved the performance of Bobby Deol as the antagonist. Although some felt his character deserved more development, many appreciated his screen presence and villainous appearance. Mamitha Baiju also got good comments and Gautham Vasudev Menon's supporting role was appreciated despite limited screen time.
Some gave mixed reviews, calling it predictable
Some, however, also panned the film's storytelling. Several viewers criticised the script for relying on worn commercial formulas, calling it predictable and unoriginal. A netizen posted, "The biggest strength of Jana Nayagan is Vijay. The biggest weakness of Jana Nayagan is everything around Vijay. Watch it only if you are a die hard fan of Thalapathy Vijay. Actor deserved a better farewell."Some early viewers also compared it with other South Indian commercial films, even claiming that
Jana Nayagan is very similar to Bhagwant Kesari. But, despite mixed reviews, one thing is for sure -
Jana Nayagan has turned out to be one of the biggest cinematic events of the year.