Tamil Nadu has only seen this once before. And it is planned to be repeated.
In a coincidence that connects C Joseph Vijay and MG Ramachandran – both popular actors before becoming Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu – the release of a film follows their big political moment. Actor Vijay Jana Nayagan hits the screens on July 23, just a few months after taking charge as Chief Minister. Almost five decades ago, something similar happened: just a few months after assuming office as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the government of MG Ramachandran Meenava Nanban hit the screens.
What happened in 1977?
The main newspapers of the time captured the enthusiasm prior to the launch of Meenava Nanbanwith movie posters bearing only the title ‘Makkal Thilagam’ and not ‘Chief Minister’.
T Rajappa Venkatachari, popularly known as ‘MGR Swami’, remembers the excitement of 1977 when this particular MGR film hit the screens. Rajappa, then in his thirties, vividly remembers watching the first screening of the film at the Central Theater in Tirunelveli.
MGR in ‘Meenava Nanban’; (right) T Rajappa Venkatachari, a fan from Tirunelveli who watched the first show of the film on the first day | Photo credit: The Hindu Archives.
“It was crazy,” he says, “There was great enthusiasm among the fans. Normally, during the releases of new Tamil films, the policemen would hold the gun.” lati to keep law and order out of the movie theater… but the scene was different for Meenava Nanban as MGR had become the Chief Minister. The police attended to us [fans of MGR] with respect. They did wield lathisbut he touched the ground instead of pointing at us… and asked for order.”
Directed by Sridhar, Meenava Naban, Also starring Latha and VK Ramasamy, it revolves around how Kumaran (played by MGR) fights for the cause of fishermen.
Rajappa remembers that during the first day shows and subsequent weekend screenings, watching the film along with hundreds of MGR fans were hordes of fishermen from neighboring villages. This was a time when Tirunelveli included areas in Thoothukudi and Tiruchendur, much before it was bifurcated into different districts. “Fishermen from the coastal villages of Thoothukudi hired trucks to transport them to the main cinema hall in Tirunelveli to watch the film. They were delighted that MGR championed the cause of fishermen through this film,” adds Rajappa, who currently resides in Alwarthirunagari, famous for being part of the ‘Nava Tirupathi’ temples.
MGR and movies: the quote
Yeah Meenava Nanban marked MGR’s immediate return to the big screen after taking over as Chief Minister, his Madhuraiyai Meeta Sundharapandiyan arrived in January 1978. Widely considered to be his last screen appearance as an actor, this film had a troubled production as it stalled after the death of its cinematographer, BR Panthulu. It was MGR himself who took over the directorial duties to complete this particular project.
Despite taking over as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MGR had close ties with the film industry and in fact expressed his desire to re-enter the industry. On April 14, 1978, barely ten months into his tenure as Chief Minister, he started a new production starring himself. When reporting on that project, The Hindu It quoted him as saying that some people were determined to prevent him from re-entering the world of cinema. “I am resuming acting not only to fulfill my obligations to those in the industry, but to carry out through this medium my mission of propagating high and socially relevant ideals, especially those of my mentor, ‘Anna’. I have a lot to tell the public about the problems of the farming community and my ideas to solve them,” MGR reportedly told scribes at the time, adding, “Acting will not harm the work.”
Later, in a report made in The Hindu On August 30, 1979, MGR is quoted as saying, “I will not leave the field of cinema. I cannot say whether I will act again. But I will produce and direct films.” However, lack of time and attention to public works meant that MGR could not fully fulfill his wishes.
Vijay in ‘Jana Nayagan’, directed by H Vinoth | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
What is happening in 2026?
Cut to today, and Tamil cinema fans are awaiting the release of Jana Nayaganstarring Chief Minister Vijay. The release, which will hit the screens on July 23, will finally put an end to the months-long drama surrounding its fee, which was halted by the Central Board of Film Certification in January.
Directed by H Vinoth, the political action thriller reportedly has the protagonist playing a retired police officer who returns to public life due to circumstances. It is said to explore themes of social justice and protection of the vulnerable, much like what MGR did in most of his films, including Meenava Nanban.
Jana Nayagan was originally scheduled to release on January 9, 2026 before Pongal. However, the film’s release was marred by major delays, legal interventions and piracy issues.
This is expected to be the last time Vijay appears on screen. “For the fans who gave up everything for me, I’m giving up cinema itself,” he said during the audio launch of Jana Nayagan held in Malaysia in December 2025. Now in his third month as Chief Minister, even as Jana Nayagan Hitting the screens, Vijay finds himself at a crossroads remarkably similar to that of MGR, although whether his journey follows MGR’s remains to be seen.
Published – Jul 20, 2026 04:14 pm IST
