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Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Jaat director Gopichand Malineni says Vijay left his project as he was ‘pressured' to pick Tamil director for last film
Telugu director Gopichand Malineni recently debuted in Bollywood with the Sunny Deol-starrer Jaat. But he revealed in a Telugu One interview that before that, he was supposed to do a Kollywood film with actor Vijay instead. He also claims that despite liking his script, Vijay was 'pressured' to pick a Tamil director for his final project. (Also Read: Vijay's security pulls out a gun as fan tries to get close to actor at airport; internet calls it 'scary'. Watch) Vijay will contest in the Tamil Nadu elections, and the H Vinoth-directed Jana Nayagan is touted to be his last film. Gopichand was asked if it's true that he approached Chiranjeevi for a film after Veera Simha Reddy's (2023) success and that it didn't pan out. The director instead revealed that he approached Vijay, stating, 'Immediately after Veera Simha Reddy, I wrote a story and narrated it to Vijay. He liked it so much that he approved it in one sitting.' However, Gopichand claims that because he had already done Varisu (2023) with a Telugu director, Vamshi Paidipally, he was 'pressured' to pick a Tamil filmmaker. 'He was ready to announce it. But because this would become his last film before entering politics, his people pressured him to opt for a Tamil director rather than a Telugu one. He had already done Varisu with a Telugu director, so they did not want him to work with a Telugu director again so soon.' He said that after Vijay backed out of the film, the director wanted to cast Ravi Teja for the role, but that hasn't panned out yet either. Vijay's upcoming film Jana Nayagan After the 2024 film The Greatest of All Time by Venkat Prabhu, all eyes were on Vijay's final project after he announced his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). His final film, Jana Nayagan, stars Vijay, Pooja Hegde and Bobby Deol in the lead roles, alongside Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Narain, Priyamani, Mamitha Baiju, Monisha Blessy and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar. It is slated for release on January 9, 2026.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Gopichand Malineni reveals Vijay was pressured to choose a Tamil director for his final film, 'Jana Nayagan'
Thalapathy Vijay's 69th and final film ' Jana Nayagan ' is progressing at a brisk pace under the direction of H. Vinoth. The film, which also stars Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, and Mamitha Baiju, features music by Anirudh Ravichander. The final leg of shooting is underway, with recent scenes shot in scenic Kodaikanal. The production is nearing completion, and fans are eagerly waiting to see Vijay in his last cinematic appearance before he transitions fully into politics. Gopichand Malineni says Vijay initially agreed to do his film Popular Telugu filmmaker Gopichand Malineni has now revealed that he was originally set to direct Vijay's final film. According to him, after the success of 'Veera Simha Reddy', he had narrated a script to Vijay, who liked it and agreed to collaborate. The project was close to being officially announced when Vijay made the landmark announcement about launching his political party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam. That moment, however, changed the trajectory of their collaboration. Vijay faced internal pressure to work with a Tamil director before political debut In an interview with Telugu One, Gopichand Malineni explained that after Vijay's political entry was confirmed, those around the actor began urging him to team up with a Tamil director for his final film. The sentiment was that, before stepping into politics, Vijay's last outing on the big screen should have a strong local connection. This shift in approach led to the selection of H. Vinoth as the director, sidelining the earlier plan with the Telugu filmmaker. Past collaboration with a Telugu director triggered industry caution Adding context to the situation, Gopichand Malineni pointed out that Vijay had already worked with Telugu director Vamshi Paidipally in 'Varisu', which may have sparked concerns about repeating the same pattern. The industry circles felt that opting for a Tamil filmmaker would resonate better with the audience and align with Vijay's political aspirations. Despite the change, Gopichand Malineni expressed no bitterness, calling it a strategic move for Vijay's future.
Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Vijay faced pressure from locals to choose Tamil director for final film', reveals Gopichand Malineni
Vijay will be bidding adieu to his acting career to pursue politics with his newly formed party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. Filmmaker H Vinoth's Jana Nayagan will mark his final appearance on screen. However, filmmaker Gopichand Malineni has now revealed that his film was originally supposed to be Vijay's swansong, but the actor changed his decision at the last minute and chose to star in Jana Nayagan instead. Speaking to TeluguOne, Gopichand said, 'Immediately, after completing Veera Simha Reddy, I prepared a story and narrated it to Vijay gaaru. He liked it a lot, and said ok to the script in a single sitting.' Gopichand Malineni went on to explain the reason behind Vijay's change of plans. He suggested that since Vijay is predominantly known for his work in Tamil cinema, he was advised to sign a Tamil film for his final appearance before entering politics in Tamil Nadu. As a result, he opted for Jana Nayagan. He said, 'Right when we are planning to announce the film, when the news of Vijay joining politics became official, people around asked him to choose a Tamil filmmaker for his next project, instead of a Telugu director. He had already done a film called Varisu with a Telugu director (Vamshi Paidipally) so Vijay gaaru had some pressure from local people to not go again for a Telugu director. ' But Gopichand didn't stop there—he also approached Jr NTR for the same project. He said, 'After my 2015 film Pandaga Chesuko, I approached Jr NTR. He said, ''This is a very heavy script. I am expecting a more entertainment-driven script from you.'' Apart from Vijay, Jana Nayagan also stars Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Narain, Priyamani, Mamitha Baiju, Monisha Blessy, and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar. The film features music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography by Sathyan Sooryan, and editing by Pradeep E Ragav. It is scheduled to release on January 9, 2026.
