What should have been a celebratory Pongal showdown at the Tamil box office has taken an unpleasant turn. A single-screen decision in Tamil Nadu has now sparked a heated fan war online, with a theatre alleging harassment after opting to screen Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi instead of Vijay’s much-anticipated final film, Jana Nayagan.
A screening choice that snowballed
Vasu Cinemas in Kumbakonam found itself at the centre of controversy after announcing that it would be showcasing Parasakthi during the festive window. With Jana Nayagan and Parasakthi releasing just a day apart — January 9 and January 10 respectively — the choice immediately triggered backlash from a section of Vijay’s fans.
According to the theatre management, the decision was made due to “several reasons,” but what followed was something they hadn’t anticipated.
Theatre speaks out against online abuse
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Vasu Cinemas publicly addressed the criticism and alleged bullying. The management clarified that choosing Parasakthi did not reflect any lack of respect toward Vijay, pointing out that they have screened almost all of his films over the last 15 years, with only a handful of exceptions.
Their post struck a raw, emotional note as they revealed the impact of the backlash. The theatre claimed they were subjected to vulgar comments, curses, and abusive messages across social media platforms, saying the volume and tone of the reactions seriously affected their mental peace.
They urged fans to read the comments themselves and reflect on whether such responses were fair or justified.
A conciliatory tone — but tensions remain
Attempting to de-escalate the situation, the theatre went out of its way to praise Vijay, calling him “not just a star, but a remarkable human being.” Acknowledging the disappointment fans might feel about not watching their favourite star’s film at their preferred theatre, they appealed for empathy and restraint.
The message ended with a plea for fans to focus on celebrating Jana Nayagan rather than attacking theatre owners over programming choices.
Fans refuse to back down
Despite the clarification, many Vijay fans remained unconvinced. Several argued that Vijay played a crucial role in reviving theatres post-Covid and felt his final film deserved priority. Some fans openly declared they would boycott the theatre going forward, while others questioned the management’s loyalty to the star.
The reactions underlined just how emotionally charged Jana Nayagan’s release has become — not just as a film, but as a cultural moment.
Why the stakes are so high
Directed by H Vinoth, Jana Nayagan is widely seen as Vijay’s curtain call before his full-time political entry with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The film stars Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju, and Bobby Deol, and is rumoured to be inspired by Bhagavanth Kesari. Advance buzz and soaring ticket prices have already highlighted the scale of fan anticipation.
Meanwhile, Sudha Kongara’s Parasakthi — starring Sivakarthikeyan, Sreeleela, and Ravi Mohan — arrives a day later, positioning itself as a strong festive alternative rather than direct counter-programming.
Final words
The episode is a reminder of how intense star fandom can become, especially during landmark releases. While box office battles are expected during Pongal, the situation at Vasu Cinemas shows how quickly celebration can turn confrontational — and how theatres often end up caught in the crossfire.
As both films head into release week, the hope remains that the focus returns to cinema, not conflict.
