Theatres in Kerala, Karnataka, and international markets have opened reservations for director H Vinoth's film Jana Nayagan, starring Vijay in the lead role. Interestingly, reservations for the film are yet to open in theatres in Tamil Nadu. According to trade analysts, TN theatres are waiting on the issuance of the censor certificate for the film before opening advance bookings. Reportedly, there is some growing uncertainty among theatres in Vijay's home state about some unanticipated scheduling changes to the film because of the pending censorship certificate. At the same time, it is worth noting that it is not uncommon for the Censor Board to issue certificates for big-ticket films so late and may not signify any major issue. Even Sivakarthikeyan-Sudha Kongara's film Parsakthi is yet to receive a censor certificate.
Even so, trade analysts say that exhibitors in the state, particularly single screen owners, are facing much pressure about fixing show timings for the film, partly because Parasakthi is also releasing a day afterwards. Multiplex theatres beyond Tamil Nadu also find it challenging to open reservations for Jana Nayagan due to the lack of the said certificate.
Amid all the chaos, according to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film has already grossed more than 20 crore through advance reservations for release day in theatres across Karnataka, Kerala, and international markets. Despite the heightened discourse about the film being an adaptation of the National Award winning Telugu film Bhagavanth Kesari, the advance booking figures only signify that there is much buzz for Vijay's final film before his full-time political entry. Many industry insiders also reveal that theatres in the state are thinking about opening bookings even in the absence of the certificate on January 05, Monday.
