While the South markets are in shock over Vijay's release delay, the North is preparing for a quirky "Comedy Clash" tomorrow. Here is the complete midweek report of the most chaotic week in Indian cinema this year.
The "Jana Nayagan" Tragedy: Pongal Cancelled? 🚫
It is the news no fan wanted to hear. Vijay’s political-thriller Jana Nayagan, which was slated to set screens on fire yesterday (Jan 14), is officially stuck in limbo.
The Issue: A massive legal tussle with the Censor Board (CBFC) over "politically sensitive" dialogues has halted the release.
The Chaos: While some distributors in Kerala tried to release it, the lack of a final certificate has led to widespread show cancellations across Tamil Nadu and overseas.
Fan Fury: Social media is burning with #WeStandWithVijay, with fans accusing political rivals of sabotaging the actor's "final" film before his full-time political entry.
"No Vijay, No Pongal. Theaters are empty," tweeted a distraught exhibitor from Chennai.
The "Raja Saab" Report Card: Hit or Miss? 📉
With Vijay out of the race, Prabhas had an open field. But did he capitalize on it? The answer is... yes and no.
The Numbers: The Raja Saab has collected approximately ₹125 Crores (India Net) in its first week.
The Trend: After a decent opening, the film saw a sharp drop on weekdays. Tuesday and Wednesday barely managed ₹5 Crores each.
The Verdict: It’s not a flop, but it’s definitely not the "Baahubali-level" monster hit the trade expected. The "horror-comedy" experiment has found love in families, but the mass euphoria is missing.
Tomorrow's Release: The "Comedy" War! 🎭
With the big boys struggling, all eyes are now on the two medium-budget comedies releasing tomorrow, Friday, Jan 16.
1. Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos
Aamir Khan Productions is back, but with a twist!
The Buzz: This spy-comedy stars Vir Das as a desi agent in Goa, with Imran Khan and Aamir Khan in massive cameos.
The Surprise: The film has been granted an 'A' Certificate (Adults Only)!
Why Watch: The promotional skit where Aamir "beats up" Vir Das for making a "bad movie" went viral yesterday. If the humor is that meta, we are in for a treat.
2. Rahu Ketu
The Fukrey boys are back, but in a fantasy world!
The Cast: Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma reunite as the unlucky duo, with Chunky Panday adding to the chaos.
The Vibe: It looks like a slapstick "brain-dead" entertainer—exactly what the audience might need after a heavy news week.
SantaBanta Verdict: The Pongal fireworks may have fizzled out, but the weekend still promises laughter. Will Vir Das’s adult humor beat Varun Sharma’s antics? Or will Dhurandhar (still running!) continue to eat everyone's lunch? Grab your popcorn; this weekend is going to be unpredictable!