Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Apr 12: Tamil filmmaker and actor Ameer Sultan has triggered controversy after commenting on leaked footage of Jana Nayagan, shifting the focus from piracy concerns to allegations about the film’s portrayal of Muslims.
The film surfaced on piracy platforms ahead of its theatrical release, prompting widespread condemnation from the industry. However, Ameer took a different stance, stating on his WhatsApp status that the leaked visuals depicted Muslims as terrorists and questioned the intent behind such representation.
His remarks drew sharp reactions online, with many criticising him not only for his comments but also for watching and publicly discussing pirated content at a time when the industry was urging audiences to boycott such material.
Several prominent figures from the film fraternity had earlier condemned the leak. Rajinikanth termed it shocking and called for strict action, while Kamal Haasan said the incident reflected systemic issues, including delays in certification. Director A R Murugadoss and actor Vijay Deverakonda also expressed concern over the impact of piracy on the industry.
This is not the first time Ameer has commented on the film. Earlier, he had questioned the delay in certification by the Central Board of Film Certification, suggesting a possible political angle amid the ongoing electoral context in Tamil Nadu and actor Vijay’s political entry.
In his latest remarks, Ameer also called on director H Vinoth to respond to the concerns raised. He said the filmmaker had a responsibility to clarify the film’s intent and address potential misunderstandings.
Meanwhile, producer KVN Productions has warned of legal action against individuals involved in downloading or circulating the leaked content across platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube.
The film, which also stars Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Prakash Raj and Priyamani, is still awaiting certification and is not expected to hit theatres before the end of April 2026.
Jana Nayagan is widely seen as Vijay’s final film before he shifts his full focus to politics.