Tamil Nadu’s theatres are gearing up for a fan celebration around Thalapathy Vijay’s 52nd birthday on June 22, 2026 — his first since leading Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to victory in the recent assembly elections and taking over as Chief Minister. With his final film Jana Nayagan running into delays, exhibitors have lined up a double re-release instead: Jilla and Mersal, both returning to screens on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Why ‘Jana Nayagan’ isn’t ready
For months, the industry had been watching the timeline of Jana Nayagan, the H. Vinoth film announced as Vijay’s last acting project before he moves fully into politics. Though the main shoot wrapped earlier in the spring, the film has been held up in the censor certification process, with discussions over dialogue and political references running past the original deadlines. That pushed the planned birthday release back.
To give fans something to mark the occasion, theatre chains in Chennai, Chengalpattu and other circuits worked with distributors on a nostalgia run of two of his hits.
‘Jilla’ and ‘Mersal’ return
Leading the double bill is Jilla (2014), directed by R.T. Neesan and produced by R.B. Choudary’s Super Good Films. A Pongal release that year, it is remembered for its casting: Vijay alongside Mohanlal in a father-son conflict, with Mohanlal as a Madurai-based don and Vijay as a police officer caught between family and duty, plus a romantic track with Kajal Aggarwal.
Sharing the date is Atlee’s Mersal (2017), made as the 100th production of Thenandal Studios. The film features Vijay in a triple role — a village wrestler and his two estranged twin sons, one a magician working in Europe and the other a doctor who charges his poor patients just five rupees. Its storyline about corruption in healthcare has often been linked to Vijay’s later political messaging. The ensemble includes Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kajal Aggarwal, Nithya Menen and S.J. Suryah as the antagonist, with cinematography by G.K. Vishnu, editing by Ruben and music by A.R. Rahman.
Fan associations and TVK units are planning the usual mix of charity drives, blood donation camps and floral tributes around the screenings. Exhibitors say advance bookings for the June 19 morning shows are already picking up, making the two older films real competition for the season’s new releases.
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