Tamil-language cinema superstar Vijay‘s highly anticipated cinematic farewell, “Jana Nayagan,” has officially locked its global theatrical release for Jan. 9, 2026, positioning the film for a dominant run during the lucrative Makar Sankranti and Pongal holiday corridor.

Directed by H. Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions, “Jana Nayagan” (which translates to “The People’s Leader”) marks a significant milestone as Vijay’s final on-screen appearance before his previously announced retirement from acting in order to join politics . The strategic release date places the film just days ahead of the Pongal festival (Jan. 14, 2026), historically a lucrative period for Tamil cinema.

The timing appears calculated to maximize box office potential, with the film benefiting from a five-day festive weekend and the massive draw of Vijay’s farewell performance.

The actor has previously dominated this holiday window with several hits throughout his career. It began with the 2007 breakout “Pokkiri” and 2011’s “Kaavalan.” In 2014’s “Jilla” Vijay went head-to-head with Ajith Kumar’s “Veeram” in the Pongal clash of the decade — “Jilla”, co-starring Mohanlal, held its own and proved his enduring pull. “Bairavaa” (2017) managed to score big at the cash register thanks to festival momentum. But it was 2021’s “Master” — his first collaboration with Lokesh Kanagaraj — that rewrote the pandemic-era playbook, reviving theatrical footfall and delivering a certified blockbuster. Across the board, Vijay’s Pongal releases have consistently turned festive fervor into front-loaded firepower.

The 50-year-old actor, born Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar and known simply as Vijay, founded the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (Tamil Nadu Victory Federation) political party in 2024 and serves as its president. He is the latest in a long list of film industry people from the southern Indian state who joined politics. These include actors M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa and screenwriter M. Karunanidhi, all of whom went on to become chief ministers of Tamil Nadu. Vijay’s last release “The Greatest of All Time” (2024), grossed some $52 million. 

KVN Productions has partnered with Phars Film for global distribution, ensuring the film reaches international audiences across major markets. The production company is simultaneously developing other high-profile projects including “Toxic – A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups” and “Bad Good Ugly.”

Vinoth’s last three films “Nerkonda Paarvai” (2019), “Valimai” (2022), and “Thunivu” (2023) all starred Ajith Kumar.