From Box Office Battles to Political Storms: Vijay’s Films and the Controversies Around Them
Tamil superstar Thalapathy Vijay has enjoyed decades at the top of the industry, but his cinematic journey has not been free of turbulence. From legal disputes and political backlash to protests and financial rowdies, several of his films have sparked heated debates over the years — a pattern now resurfacing as his final movie before entering politics, Jana Nayagan, faces certification hurdles.
With Vijay having launched his political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in 2024 and announcing plans to shift into full-time politics, renewed attention has turned to how controversy has often shadowed key projects across his career.
Sura (2010): A Milestone With Mixed Fortunes
Vijay’s 50th film initially carried the title Sura – The Leader, but objections to its political tone led the makers to drop the tagline. Despite heavy expectations, the film failed to impress critics and underperformed commercially.
Kavalan (2011): Financial Disputes Stall Release
Production troubles clouded Kavalan after losses from Sura triggered disputes between the producer and distributor. Allegations of political interference swirled at the time, and the movie finally released after delays and cancelled morning shows.
Thuppakki (2012): Protests and Apologies
Although it became a defining hit, Thuppakki faced strong opposition from certain organisations over its portrayal of terrorism. Following protests, the director and producers apologised and removed specific scenes to avoid further unrest.
Thalaivaa (2013): Political Pressure
The political-sounding tagline “Time to Lead” caused turbulence for Thalaivaa, leading to a delayed Tamil Nadu release. Vijay later addressed theatre-owner concerns and urged fans not to resort to piracy while the standoff continued.
Kaththi (2014): Protests Over Production House
Kaththi attracted demonstrations because of its producers’ Sri Lankan origins, with protestors alleging political links abroad. The unrest escalated into theatre vandalism, prompting the removal of production logos before the film could run smoothly.
Puli (2015): Income-Tax Raids and Delays
Fantasy epic Puli was hit by income-tax searches at producer offices, resulting in last-minute show cancellations. The film’s lukewarm reception later compounded the problems for its financiers.
Mersal (2017): Political and Medical Backlash
The Diwali release stirred controversy for dialogues criticising GST and healthcare policy, drawing sharp responses from political leaders and medical bodies. Despite the uproar, Mersal went on to become one of Vijay’s biggest box-office successes.
Sarkar (2018): Scenes Removed After Government Objections
State authorities objected to certain political references in Sarkar, leading the makers to delete scenes criticised for allegedly attacking welfare policies and political figures.
Jana Nayagan: A Career Comes Full Circle
After several relatively smooth releases, controversy has returned with Jana Nayagan, Vijay’s announced final film before entering active politics. Its stalled certification has revived memories of the many flashpoints that marked his journey on screen.
From protest-ridden premieres to political debates played out through dialogue, Vijay’s career reflects how Tamil cinema and public life often intersect — a dynamic that may now find a new chapter as the star steps fully into the political arena.
