Jana Nayagan advance booking: Vijay film earns Rs 6.7 cr in hours, eyes Rajinikanth’s record
- Advance bookings for 'Jana Nayagan' have crossed Rs 6.7 crore within hours of opening.
- The film is expected to challenge Rajinikanth's previous box office records.
- Fans have drawn parallels between Vijay's character and former Tamil Nadu CM MGR.
Box office frenzy begins
Advance bookings for Vijay's upcoming film 'Jana Nayagan' have stormed past Rs 6.7 crore within hours of opening. The numbers, reported by The Indian Express, suggest a massive opening weekend in the making.
Ticket sales across Tamil Nadu and key overseas markets have been brisk. Exhibitors report packed houses for the first three days, with many shows selling out within minutes of booking counters opening.
Chasing Rajinikanth's record
The film's advance booking trajectory puts it on course to challenge Rajinikanth's all-time record. Industry insiders believe 'Jana Nayagan' could surpass the opening day collections set by 'Jailer' in 2023.
The MGR-Vijay parallel has also gained traction, with The Hindu noting that 'Jana Nayagan' revives a rare moment in Tamil Nadu history. The film's teaser, which shows Vijay handling firearms and wearing a police uniform, has fuelled comparisons to the late chief minister M G Ramachandran.
Fan frenzy and global release
Fans have been camping outside theatres since early morning. Distributors have arranged additional screenings to meet demand. The film is set for a grand global release, with Telangana Today reporting massive fan frenzy across multiple countries.
ThePrint reported that advance bookings raked in almost Rs 10 crore in a single day. The film is being positioned as Vijay's last bow before he transitions into full-time politics.
Political undertones
The MGR-Vijay parallel is not lost on political observers. MGR used his on-screen persona as a police officer to build a political career that lasted decades. Vijay appears to be following a similar template.
The film's title 'Jana Nayagan' translates to 'People's Hero', a term historically associated with MGR. The timing of the release, ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, lends further weight to political speculation.
Vijay has not officially confirmed his political entry, but his actions suggest otherwise. The film's content and marketing strategy indicate a carefully calibrated move into the political arena.
What to watch next
The final advance booking numbers by Sunday night will determine if 'Jana Nayagan' indeed breaks Rajinikanth's record. All eyes are on the opening day figures, expected to be announced on Monday.