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Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan has run into fresh trouble in Karnataka, with several screenings in Bengaluru reportedly cancelled amid protests linked
to the ongoing Cauvery water dispute. Days after demonstrations disrupted shows in Mandya, pro-Kannada organisations staged fresh protests outside theatres screening the film, prompting exhibitors to halt scheduled shows. According to reports, some theatres replaced Jana Nayagan with Spider-Man: Brand New Day following the unrest. The latest controversy comes even as H Vinoth's directorial continues its theatrical run, crossing Rs 268 crore worldwide despite witnessing a drop in collections during its second week.
Bengaluru Theatres Halt Jana Nayagan Screenings
As per Cinema Express, members of pro-Kannada organisations gathered outside Poornima and Urvashi theatres in Bengaluru on Friday, objecting to the screening of a Tamil film amid the ongoing Cauvery water-sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The protests forced exhibitors to cancel scheduled screenings of Jana Nayagan at Poornima, Urvashi and a few other single-screen theatres across the city.
Later, the theatres replaced the cancelled shows with Tom Holland's Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Theatre managements also removed Vijay's cut-outs and promotional banners from their premises as tensions escalated. Videos of the protests and the removal of promotional material quickly surfaced on social media.
This marks the second disruption faced by Jana Nayagan in Karnataka since its release. Earlier this week, screenings at Gurushree Theatre in Mandya were cancelled after similar protests linked to the Cauvery issue.
Jana Nayagan's Box Office Collection
Despite the problems, Jana Nayagan continues its run at the box office. According to Sacnilk, the film earned an estimated Rs 3.55 crore net in India on Day 9, a 12.3 per cent drop from the Rs 4.05 crore collected on Day 8. The film was screened across 4,165 shows on Friday.
After nine days, the film's India net collection stands at Rs 157.10 crore, while its India gross has reached Rs 183.45 crore. Overseas, the film collected Rs 2 crore gross on Day 9, taking its international total to Rs 85 crore. Its worldwide gross has now climbed to Rs 268.45 crore. Jana Nayagan follows Thalapathy Vetri Kondan, a former prisoner who vows to transform Vijji into an Army officer while confronting a dangerous national security threat orchestrated by the ruthless John Himler. The film which marks Tamil Nadu chief minister Vijay's final film also stars Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju, Bobby Deol and Gautham Vasudev Menon in key roles.
