The much-anticipated Tamil film 'Jana Nayagan', starring superstar Vijay, has hit a significant roadblock. The film's theatrical release has been delayed due to ongoing legal and censorship troubles. Adding another layer to the film's narrative is the long-standing speculation about its connection to the Telugu blockbuster 'Bhagavanth Kesari', starring Balakrishna Nandamuri and directed by Anil Ravipudi. The Telugu director has now broken his silence on the matter, offering clarity on the film's origins.
Anil Ravipudi Confirms the 'Soul' Connection
In a recent conversation with Telugu 360, director Anil Ravipudi addressed the swirling rumours head-on. He confirmed that Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan' indeed carries the 'soul' of his film 'Bhagavanth Kesari'. However, he was quick to clarify that it is not a carbon copy. Ravipudi explained that under the direction of H. Vinoth, the Tamil version has undergone several significant changes to adapt it for its new audience.
Ravipudi elaborated on the specific portions that were retained from the original. "The team has taken the basic soul of Bhagavanth Kesari to remake Vijay's film," he stated. He revealed that the adapted sequences include the first 20 minutes of the film, the crucial interval block, and a few select scenes in the second half. A major departure, however, lies in the antagonist's storyline. The makers of 'Jana Nayagan' have completely revamped the villain's track, introducing sci-fi elements like robots, which were absent in the original Telugu version.
Defending the Remake Strategy and Social Media Pressure
The director also shared his perspective on the art of making remakes, especially when films are labelled as "shot-by-shot" copies. He defended the practice of incorporating a film's high points when adapting it for another language. "When you think of a remake to get the highs, that's what you do. That is what people have been doing all these years. That is what a remake means...to take a film in another language," Ravipudi commented.
He suggested a possible reason why the 'Jana Nayagan' team might have chosen not to officially announce it as a remake. "They didn't tell it publicly that it's a remake which could be because of a myriad of reasons including social media negativity," he said. Ravipudi acknowledged the challenge of hiding the source material but expressed confidence that the subject would feel fresh for Tamil audiences, as not everyone has seen 'Bhagavanth Kesari'.
Release Hangs in the Balance
Despite the creative confidence, 'Jana Nayagan' remains in limbo. The film's release has been postponed indefinitely due to the unresolved legal and censorship issues. The next crucial hearing in the case is scheduled for January 21, which will likely determine the film's fate and potential release timeline. Fans of Vijay and followers of this cinematic crossover will have to wait a little longer to see the final product on the big screen.
