CM Vijay's Jana Nayagan advance bookings open in India; shows sell out at Rs 2500

Advance bookings for director H Vinoth’s Jana Nayagan featuring actor-turned Tamil Nadu Chief Miniser Vijay have finally opened in India after the film’s seven-month delay, and several shows are already selling out in limited theatres despite ticket prices going up to Rs 2,500. The film, touted as the star’s final film as he serves as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, is set to hit screens on July 23.

Bookings have opened in regions including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Kerala, with tickets for the Tamil version generally priced between Rs 100 and Rs 800 in most places. Bengaluru, however, has emerged as an outlier, while Chennai has kept prices capped as bookings open gradually. The film had also seen strong demand overseas, where bookings opened even before its release date was officially announced.

In Bengaluru, which is described as the stronghold of the film’s producer K Venkata Narayana, pricing has been significantly higher. While some shows are offering tickets in the Rs 500 to Rs 800 range, most of the shows listed so far are priced above Rs 1,000. Tickets for the 6:30 am show are already selling fast in some theatres, with a few shows marked sold out.

At Cinepolis: Nexus Shantiniketan, recliner seats are priced at Rs 2,500, the highest recorded for the film so far. Premiere shows at some theatres, with tickets priced between Rs 800 and Rs 1,000, have already sold out. With advance bookings yet to open fully, pricing could change further.

In Chennai, ticket prices have not been raised for the opening and have been capped at Rs 190, with the lowest-priced ticket at Rs 54. Tamil Nadu has a history of discouraging early shows by hiking ticket prices for premiere shows due to fan deaths in the past. Kamala Cinemas in Chennai said it sold 10,000 tickets for the film within minutes at its theatre alone.

“Bookings are on FIRE. 10,000+ Tickets sold for #Jananayagan at Kamala within minutes,” the theatre said. Overseas, UK distributor Ahimsa Entertainment said it sold thousands of tickets within one hour of the booking announcement.

Jana Nayagan is directed by Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions. The film stars Vijay, Mamitha Baiju, Bobby Deol and Pooja Hegde in lead roles, with Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Narain and Priyamani also part of the cast. It is an adaptation of the 2023 Anil Ravipudi directorial Bhagavanth Kesari.

The film was originally scheduled for a Pongal release in January, but was postponed because of a delay in CBFC certification. It also leaked online in HD print in April before certification. After cuts and modifications, Jana Nayagan has been given an A certificate and cleared for release, with high ticket demand now visible in both India and overseas markets.

Jana Nayagan is set for a theatrical release on July 23.