Ahead of the release of his upcoming film Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, director Anil Ravipudi addressed the ongoing comparisons between Vijay’s much-anticipated Jana Nayagan and his own Telugu blockbuster Bhagavanth Kesari. Contrary to rumors that Jana Nayagan is a direct remake, Ravipudi said the Tamil film retains the “soul” of his original story while incorporating substantial changes tailored to its own narrative.
In a recent interview, the filmmaker acknowledged that certain core elements of Bhagavanth Kesari: including portions of the opening, the pre-interval structure, and some sequences in the latter half – inspired the makers of Jana Nayagan. However, he emphasized that Jana Nayagan diverges considerably in key aspects, most notably in its antagonist arc and the inclusion of sci-fi elements that were not part of the Telugu original.
Ravipudi also addressed how remakes are often shaped: “When you think of a remake to get the highs, that’s what you do,” he explained, suggesting that adaptation in spirit rather than strict replication is a common approach when translating stories across languages. He noted that the Jana Nayagan team chose not to publicly label the film as a remake, possibly to avoid negativity associated with the term, while pointing out that many Tamil viewers may not have seen the Telugu version anyway.
Expressing hope for Jana Nayagan’s success, Ravipudi said the emotional core of Bhagavanth Kesari is present and that Vijay’s presence will further elevate the material. He believes the film, shaped with fresh nuances, will resonate with audiences even as it retains the essence of the original inspiration. The remarks come amid heightened anticipation for Jana Nayagan, whose release has been delayed due to ongoing certification issues. The film stars Vijay alongside an ensemble cast including Mamitha Baiju, Bobby Deol, Pooja Hegde, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Priyamani, Narain, Nasser and Revathy.
Meanwhile, Jana Nayagan continues to face uncertainty on the release front, as the makers have approached the Supreme Court seeking urgent intervention in the ongoing delay surrounding the film’s censor certification. With the honourable court likely to hear the matter tomorrow, both the team and fans remain hopeful for a positive outcome that could clear the path for the film’s theatrical release.