Jana Nayagan trailer unveiled: Is Thalapathy Vijay’s last movie a remake of Nandamuri Balakrishna’s Bhagavanth Kesari? What we know
ET Online January 08, 2026 12:57 PM
Synopsis

The trailer for Thalapathy Vijay's political action thriller, Jana Nayagan, has sparked debate, with many online comparing it to the Telugu film Bhagavanth Kesari. While director H Vinoth remains tight-lipped, reports suggest only thematic scene rights were acquired, not for a full remake. Audiences are urged to watch the film to discern its true nature. Read on!

Jana Nayagan is all set to hit the theatres on January 4 (Credit: Instagram)
After months of anticipation, the makers of Jana Nayagan finally unveiled the official trailer of the film on Saturday, January 3. Starring Thalapathy Vijay in the lead, the Tamil political action thriller is set to hit theatres on January 9, 2026. The trailer quickly became a major talking point online, not just for Vijay’s screen presence but also for the questions it raised about the film’s storyline and possible inspirations.

Jana Nayagam official trailer out

Soon after the trailer dropped, social media platforms were flooded with discussions comparing Jana Nayagan to the Telugu hit Bhagavanth Kesari, which starred Nandamuri Balakrishna and was directed by Anil Ravipudi. While such speculation had been doing the rounds even earlier, the trailer added fresh fuel to the debate, with netizens pointing out certain narrative similarities between the two films.


Jana Nayagan, directed by H Vinoth, appears to revolve around a strong central character played by Vijay, who takes on powerful forces while protecting a young woman. These elements reminded some viewers of Bhagavanth Kesari, which also featured a dominant male protagonist with a protective relationship at its core, alongside confrontations with influential antagonists. As a result, many online users began questioning whether Vijay’s film is an official remake or heavily inspired by the Telugu original.

Is Vijay's last film a remake of Bhagavanth Kesari?

However, the makers have been careful not to label Jana Nayagan as a direct remake. Director H Vinoth has neither confirmed nor denied the claims, choosing instead to maintain a measured silence on the issue. He has consistently urged audiences to reserve judgment until they watch the full film rather than drawing conclusions from promotional material alone. Vinoth has described Jana Nayagan as “a pure Thalapathy Vijay film,” suggesting that it carries the actor’s distinct screen identity regardless of any perceived similarities.

In addition to the discussion, there are reports that the Jana Nayagan team acquired remake rights to a specific thematic scene from Bhagavanth Kesari. According to industry sources, this was done as a precautionary step to avoid potential copyright issues. Importantly, these reports also clarify that the rights were not bought for the entire film, indicating that Jana Nayagan is not intended to be a scene-by-scene adaptation of the Telugu movie.

Even Bhagavanth Kesari director Anil Ravipudi has weighed in on the matter. He has suggested that it would only be fair to compare the two films after Jana Nayagan releases in theatres.

Makers react to remake remarks

Recently, in an interview with Cinema Vikatan, H Vinoth addressed the ongoing speculation more directly. Paraphrasing his remarks, the director said audiences need not worry about whether the film is a remake, partial adaptation, or simply inspired. He emphasised that teasers, trailers and songs only reveal so much, and that viewers should watch at least one show to truly understand the film. Vinoth also admitted that, at this stage, he cannot say a clear “yes” or “no” regarding the remake question.

In Jana Nayagan, Vijay plays a police officer, a role that has already generated strong interest among fans. With its theatrical release just days away, the film is set to provide answers that the trailer has deliberately left open. Until then, the question of remake or inspiration remains part of the buzz surrounding what is being billed as Thalapathy Vijay’s final film. Stay tuned!
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