The highly anticipated trailer for superstar Vijay's upcoming film 'Jana Nayagan' was unveiled on Saturday, sending fans into a frenzy. However, the excitement was quickly tempered by a surprising discovery that has ignited a debate about the use of artificial intelligence in mainstream cinema.
Trailer Launch and the AI Discovery
Directed by H Vinoth, the high-octane trailer for 'Jana Nayagan' premiered online just days before the film's theatrical debut on January 9, coinciding with the Pongal festival. The 2-minute-52-second preview was released in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, amassing millions of views within hours. Yet, amidst the fan celebrations, sharp-eyed netizens spotted an unexpected detail.
Users on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) pointed out that a watermark for Google's Gemini AI video editing software was visible in the bottom-right corner of the screen. The evidence is clear when pausing the trailer at the 0.23-second mark, during a sequence showing Vijay loading a shotgun. One user's post, which read, "telepathy vijay’s new movie jan neta is using gemini and not a single person noticed this," went viral, drawing widespread attention to the oversight.
Fan Backlash and Industry Concerns
The revelation prompted a wave of reactions from fans and cinephiles, many expressing shock and disappointment. Critics questioned the filmmaking standards, arguing that using AI for simple visual shots was alarming. "Using Google Gemini AI shots in the trailer even without removing Logo is Shocking!!" wrote one user, adding that it raised doubts about the production's quality. Another commented sarcastically, "Could've atleast hired some good editors and blurred the star AI-Nayagan !! ??."
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the creeping influence of AI in filmmaking. "AI has found its way into mainstream cinema, and spotted in one of the most awaited Tamil movie," noted a third social media user, highlighting the significance of the find in a major production headlined by a star of Vijay's stature.
About 'Jana Nayagan' and Vijay's Political Move
This controversy follows the film's audio launch, which was held on December 28 in Malaysia. At that event, Vijay, who has formally entered politics with his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, delivered an emotional speech urging fans to support his political journey. 'Jana Nayagan' is being heavily promoted as the 51-year-old actor's final film before he fully dedicates himself to his political career.
The film boasts a star-studded cast including Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Prakash Raj, and Gautham Vasudev Menon. Despite the AI logo hiccup, the movie remains one of the most awaited releases of the season and is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on January 9.
