Days after Vijay's much-anticipated film Jana Nayagan was leaked online, angering fans and film enthusiasts, the controversy continues to be a major topic of discussion, especially ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections later this month where Vijay is set to make his political debut through his newly-formed party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Actor-politician Kasthuri has now commented on the issue, saying, "I have seen bits and pieces of the movie that people have forwarded to me through WhatsApp and other means. It's the talk of the town right now. I have also been learning new information about the movie and I can tell you that if it is seen by the public, it is beneficial to the TVK, not BJP or the DMK. The parties that Vijay is blaming."
Calling it a "three-hour-long propaganda film", the actor probed how L Murugan, the Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Ministry, The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) or any agency release Jana Nayagan in its highest quality. "I hear the film is in perfect quality and the entirety of the movie is available without any censored clips or modifications," she remarked, accusing the ruling DMK government of not releasing the H Vinoth-directorial on the big screens.
"It is clear that whoever leaked the movie, wanted every word of their propaganda to get to the people. I accuse the state government to be behind the non-release of the film because they are directly affected. This movie is about Tamil Nadu politics and not about central leaders. Hence, the ruling party is stopping the movie from being seen by the public, especially on the day when their own propaganda movie got released," she added, hinting at Natty-Umapathy Ramaiah's latest film TN 2026.
Kasthuri said the leak could be traced to someone who is "sympathetic to Vijay's cause". "If this movie is seen by people, it will influence them and will in turn benefit TVK. Anything else that actor Vijay or his second-rung leaders come out and say is purely optics. They are just trying to distract people from the actual perpetrators," she said.
A few days earlier, director Ameer insinuated that the leak might have happened from the film's crew. "If you check which edit table it has come from, you could find out the truth easily. It would be possible to find out where they worked," the filmmaker said, referring to the leaked film. He also alleged that there is a political agenda behind the film's leak. He rhetorically added, "The BJP initiated immediate investigations into the Karur Stampede; why a similar measure has not been made with regard to the Jana Nayagan leak?"
On Saturday, Pooja Hegde, who plays a key role in Jana Nayagan, expressed her sadness on seeing it being leaked. "It is tough-not because of numbers, but because it takes away the respect that every artist and technician on the film deserves," she wrote on her Instagram story, calling on audiences to watch the film in theatres to celebrate Vijay's last film. Mamitha Baiju also shared her disappointment on the issue, underlining the passion and commitment makers put forth to create the film.
Six members have reportedly been arrested by the Chennai Cyber Crime police after a case was filed by KVN Productions and investigations are currently ongoing.