More than 75,000 fans filled the National Stadium Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 27 as the audio launch of Jana Nayagan turned into one of the largest overseas celebrations ever held for a Tamil film.
The scale of the event, staged at Malaysia’s iconic 80,000-capacity stadium, was so unprecedented that it earned a place in the Malaysia Book of Records, marking a historic moment not just for the film but for Tamil cinema’s global footprint, reported NST Online.
The spectacle underlined the extraordinary reach of Thalapathy Vijay, whose fan base stretches far beyond India.
For many in attendance, the night carried added emotional weight: Jana Nayagan is widely believed to be Vijay’s final film before he transitions fully into politics, making the audio launch both a celebration and a farewell.
A Festival Atmosphere at Bukit Jalil
The event unfolded like a cultural festival rather than a conventional promotional function. Fans flew in from India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Australia, the Middle East and across Southeast Asia, transforming the Malaysian capital into a sea of Vijay banners, cut-outs and chants.
Despite extensive security arrangements, the atmosphere was electric, with the stadium echoing with cheers from the moment the gates opened, reported scoop.my.
According to the organisers, the gathering of over 75,000 people makes Jana Nayagan the first Tamil film to host an audio launch outside India on such a scale.
On stage, Vijay was presented with the official citation from the Malaysia Book of Records, acknowledging the event as a record-breaking achievement.
A Swan Song Before Politics
Directed by H. Vinoth and produced by Venkat K. Narayana under KVN Productions, Jana Nayagan is positioned as a politically charged entertainer – a fitting swan song for an actor preparing to enter public life through his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, reported the Hindustan Times.
The film features a star-studded ensemble including Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Prakash Raj, Priyamani, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Narain and Mamitha Baiju.
Set for a worldwide theatrical release on Jan 9, coinciding with Pongal, the film has been under intense anticipation since its announcement, with fans viewing it as the closing chapter of Vijay’s three-decade cinematic journey.
‘Thalapathy Thiruvizha’: Nostalgia and Music
The evening began with a tribute concert titled Thalapathy Thiruvizha, a musical homage to Vijay’s career. A galaxy of singers — including Vijay Yesudas, Anuradha Sriram, S.P. Charan, Tippu, Shweta Mohan, Andrea Jeremiah, Haricharan and Krish – performed a medley of the actor’s most loved songs, triggering waves of nostalgia across the stadium.
Music composer Anirudh Ravichander led a live orchestra, before unveiling the newly released tracks from Jana Nayagan. The blend of past hits and fresh compositions created a bridge between Vijay’s storied past and his final on-screen outing.
A Mother’s Surprise That Moved Fans
One of the night’s most emotional moments came when Vijay’s mother Shobha Chandrasekhar made a surprise appearance on stage, reported The Times of India.
Singing the popular number “Kodambakkam Area” from Sivakasi alongside Tippu, she drew thunderous applause and visibly moved fans, many of whom described the moment as unforgettable.
Social media was soon flooded with clips of the performance, with fans calling it the “heart of the night”.
Chants, Politics and Vijay’s Restraint
As Vijay took the stage, chants of “TVK… TVK…” – referencing his political party – rang out across the stadium. Smiling, the actor gently gestured for calm, signalling that the platform was meant for cinema, not politics.
The moment, captured widely on video, highlighted the delicate balance Vijay is maintaining as he transitions from screen icon to political leader.
Addressing the crowd, Vijay admitted the moment was bittersweet. “I don’t know whether to say it or not, but my last film is a little painful,” he said, drawing an emotional response from the audience. Reflecting on his journey, he added that while he entered cinema hoping to build “a small sand house,” his fans had given him “a palace”.
Tributes From Colleagues
Several leading filmmakers, including Atlee, Lokesh Kanagaraj and Nelson Dilipkumar, paid glowing tributes. Atlee’s words struck a chord when he compared Vijay to “roots” in people’s lives – those who never leave – before embracing the actor on stage.
A Global Milestone for Tamil Cinema
The Jana Nayagan audio launch will be telecast on Zee Tamil and streamed on ZEE5 Tamil ahead of the film’s release, ensuring fans worldwide can relive the historic night.
Beyond numbers and records, the event reaffirmed Malaysia’s status as a major overseas hub for Tamil cinema and underscored Vijay’s unmatched global appeal.
As fans poured out of Bukit Jalil late into the night, the sentiment was unanimous: they had witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Even before its release, Jana Nayagan has etched its place in history – not just as a film, but as the emotional farewell of a superstar whose influence transcends borders.
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22 Dec 2025 16:52
