Bengaluru: Several screenings of Chief Minister Vijay’s film Jana Nayagan were cancelled in Bengaluru on Friday after fresh protests linked to the Cauvery water dispute. In some theatres, the cancelled shows were replaced with Hollywood release Spider-Man: Brand New Day, while a few others screened Kannada films following police advisories and protests by pro-Kannada organisations.
The latest disruption marks the second setback for the Tamil blockbuster in Karnataka, where the film has repeatedly faced opposition amid renewed tensions over the long-running river water-sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Bengaluru theatres halt screenings
According to reports, a number of Bengaluru theatres cancelled scheduled screenings of Jana Nayagan after receiving police advisories or facing protests outside cinema halls.
At some multiplexes, Spider-Man: Brand New Day was screened in place of Vijay’s film, while elsewhere exhibitors opted for Kannada films to avoid potential law-and-order issues. Theatre managements also removed promotional posters and cut-outs of the film in affected locations.
Cauvery dispute triggers fresh protests
The cancellations come amid escalating protests over the Cauvery water-sharing dispute, a recurring flashpoint between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Pro-Kannada organisations have been staging demonstrations demanding that Tamil films should not be screened in Karnataka while tensions over the river dispute continue. The protests have periodically disrupted cultural events and film releases in the state whenever the issue resurfaces.
Second disruption for Jana Nayagan
This is not the first time Jana Nayagan has been affected in Karnataka.
Earlier, screenings in parts of the state, including Mandya, were suspended following demonstrations, with protesters tearing down posters and objecting to the film’s exhibition. The latest cancellations in Bengaluru extend those disruptions into the film’s second week in theatres.
Film continues elsewhere
Despite the cancellations in select Karnataka theatres, Jana Nayagan continues its theatrical run across most parts of India and overseas.
The film has maintained steady box office collections during its second week, although trade observers believe the Karnataka disruptions could affect its regional earnings. Evening and night shows in unaffected markets have continued to attract audiences.
Cauvery dispute’s history with Tamil cinema
The Cauvery dispute has repeatedly affected Tamil film releases in Karnataka over the years.
Several major films starring actors such as Rajinikanth, Vikram and now Vijay have faced protests, cancelled screenings or disrupted promotions whenever tensions over the river-sharing issue have intensified. Industry observers say cinema has often become an unintended casualty of the political dispute between the two neighbouring states.
Fans express disappointment
Fans expressed disappointment over the cancellations, with many taking to social media to question why cinema continues to be affected by political disputes.
Meanwhile, theatre operators have said they are prioritising public safety and will resume normal screenings once the situation improves and local authorities permit regular operations.
Conclusion
The latest cancellation of Jana Nayagan screenings in Bengaluru highlights how the decades-old Cauvery water dispute continues to spill over into cultural and entertainment spaces. While the Vijay-starrer remains in theatres elsewhere, uncertainty over screenings in Karnataka is expected to persist until tensions ease.