Jana Nayagan, which is Tamil for “People’s Hero”, is possibly the 51-year-old actor’s last movie as he makes his political foray into Tamil Nadu, where state elections are slated for April or May.

The movie’s release, initially expected to take place on Jan 9, ahead of the harvest festival, was postponed indefinitely after India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) halted its certification, citing issues with the use of religiously offensive content and state emblems without clearance.

Facing a legal dispute and mounting losses, KVN Productions, which spent around four billion rupees (S$57 million) making the movie, approached the judiciary to seek its release on schedule. The Madras High Court is scheduled to hear the case on Jan 20.

Vijay’s fans – possibly in the millions across India, Sri Lanka and other countries with sizeable Tamil populations such as Malaysia and Singapore – were disappointed by the postponement. Some had queued for hours to get tickets to watch the first screening.

“I feel like someone has stolen a vadai (an Indian snack) from my mouth,” snapped Mr Pradeep, 28, using a Tamil phrase to say he felt cheated.

In addition to troubles with the film’s release, Vijay is also being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over

the September 2025 stampede at his election rally

in Karur, Tamil Nadu, which killed 41 people.