‘I’m giving up cinema’: Thalapathy Vijay announces retirement at Jana Nayagan audio launch

Chennai: Tamil actor-politician Vijay signalled his final departure from the film industry at a massive audio launch for his upcoming movie Jana Nayagan on Saturday, telling a crowd of nearly 100,000 fans that he is "giving up cinema" to serve the people.

The event, held at the Bukit Jalil Stadium on Dec. 27, was billed as "Thalapathy Thiruvizha" (The General’s Festival). In an emotional address, Vijay used the Tamil word "kottai", which means fort and serves as a shorthand for the state’s legislative assembly at Fort St. George, to describe the support he has received from his fanbase.

"When I entered the cinema, I thought I was building a small sand house here. But you all have built me a palace. Fans helped me build a fort… That’s why I’ve decided to stand for them," the actor said. "For the fans who gave up everything for me, I’m giving up cinema itself."

The gathering, which reportedly entered the Malaysian Book of Records for its size, featured a high-security presence and a strict "no-politics" directive from Malaysian police. Despite the restriction, Vijay hinted at his 2026 electoral aspirations in Tamil Nadu, suggesting that a strong opposition is a catalyst for success.

“If you want to succeed in life, you may not need friends, but you need a strong enemy," he said. "Only when there's a strong enemy, you become stronger. So, in 2026, history will repeat. Let us be ready to welcome it for the people.”

The six-hour ceremony served as a cinematic wake for Vijay's three-decade career. Veteran actor Nasser delivered a tearful tribute, recalling the star’s personal generosity and urging him to reconsider retirement, noting that Vijay is "critic-proof" and "irreplaceable."

Co-star Pooja Hegde praised Vijay’s professionalism and humility, while music director Anirudh Ravichander led a 45-minute medley of hits. Notable directors, including Atlee, Nelson Dilipkumar, and Lokesh Kanagaraj, who have helmed some of Vijay's biggest blockbusters, were also in attendance to share their experiences.

Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan features a high-profile cast including Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Prakash Raj, and Priyamani. The film is scheduled for a global release on Jan. 9, 2026, coinciding with the Pongal festival. The audio launch is slated for television broadcast on Zee Tamil on Jan. 4, 2026.

With inputs from PTI