By Ayesha Khan 
Chennai, December 31: Talk around Thalapathy Vijay’s next film Jana Nayagan just does not seem to slow down. Every time the team speaks, the buzz only grows stronger. The biggest question floating around remains the same. Is the film a remake of Bhagavanth Kesari, the Telugu hit directed by Anil Ravipudi?
Ravipudi was asked about it again recently. His answer stayed careful. He did not say yes. He did not say no. Instead, he said the makers have decided to keep certain things private. He reminded everyone that director H Vinoth has already spoken about the film and that people should see Jana Nayagan purely as a Vijay film until it releases.
That one statement was enough to restart the discussion online.
Why People Are Reading Into Ravipudi’s Words
In cinema, especially when big stars are involved, silence creates its own meaning. Ravipudi did not brush the rumours aside. He did not call them false. He simply said he does not know enough about the Tamil film to comment and that everything will be clear only after release.
He also called Vijay “a gentleman. A simple line. But fans quickly picked it up. Some felt it showed respect. Others felt it avoided the real question.
People who follow Ravipudi’s work say this is not unusual. He rarely gets into public debates. He prefers staying away from controversy. This time, too, he seems happy letting others talk.
H Vinoth Says It Straight
While Ravipudi stayed neutral, H Vinoth chose to speak clearly. At the Jana Nayagan audio launch in Malaysia, he addressed the rumours directly.
He said people are saying the film is a remake or partly inspired by another film. That, he said, is not true. According to Vinoth, Jana Nayagan is a full Thalapathy Vijay commercial film, made for theatre audiences and meant to be enjoyed without overthinking.
The crowd at the event cheered. Online, reactions were mixed. Many fans welcomed the clarity. Others said they would believe it only after watching the film.
How All This Started
The whole issue began early this year at a Sankranthiki Vasthunam event. Actor VTV Ganesh made a comment that went viral in no time. He claimed Vijay had watched Bhagavanth Kesari several times and wanted Anil Ravipudi to remake it in Tamil.
He also said Ravipudi refused.
Within hours, social media ran with it. YouTube channels discussed it. Headlines followed. The story took on a life of its own. Later, Ravipudi clarified that while there were conversations, nothing serious came out of them. He said talking about Vijay’s final film was complicated, and that dates, planning, and approvals were never sorted. But by then, the rumour had already stuck.
Why The Comparison Keeps Coming Back
One reason people keep linking the two films is the political angle. Bhagavanth Kesari, starring Nandamuri Balakrishna, was packed with leadership themes and political messaging. The film also featured Sreeleela, Kajal Aggarwal, and Arjun Rampal, and found good support from mass audiences.
Jana Nayagan carries similar expectations, mainly because it is expected to be Vijay’s last film before fully stepping into politics. Even the title has made people conclude.
Industry voices, however, say political themes are common in South Indian cinema. When stars with political plans act in such films, comparisons become unavoidable.
A High-Pressure Film For Everyone Involved
Apart from the rumours, Jana Nayagan is a big film by any standard. It stars Mamitha Baiju, Pooja Hegde, and Bobby Deol, and is set to release on January 9, 2026, during the Pongal season.
So far, the team has revealed very little about the story. That silence has only added fuel to speculation. In Tamil cinema, being called a remake before release can affect how audiences walk into theatres. Makers know this well. That is why many choose to stay quiet and let the film do the talking.
All Eyes On Release Day
For now, there are no clear answers. Ravipudi is keeping his distance. Vinoth is standing by his film. Vijay has not commented. Whether Jana Nayagan has any connection to Bhagavanth Kesari or not will be known only when the first show ends. Until then, the debate will continue, driven by fan interest, politics, and the weight of a star’s final film.
The rest will unfold on screen.
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- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ayesha/
- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ayesha/
- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ayesha/
- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/authors/ayesha/
