The much-anticipated trailer for actor-politician Thalapathy Vijay's final cinematic venture, Jana Nayagan, has landed in hot water. Released ahead of the film's January debut, the preview has triggered a wave of online criticism and disappointment, with eagle-eyed viewers alleging the use of artificial intelligence and pointing to a visible watermark.
Netizens Spot AI Watermark, Express Disappointment
Shortly after the trailer dropped on Saturday, social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), buzzed with reactions. Many users expressed shock upon noticing a logo in the bottom right corner of a specific scene, which closely resembled the watermark of Google Gemini, the tech giant's AI model. The scene in question features a character wielding a shotgun.
Videos and screenshots highlighting this detail were widely shared, sparking a debate about the filmmaking standards employed for a project with a reported budget of around ₹400 crore. While Live Mint could not independently verify the authenticity of these specific clips from the alleged trailer, the online discourse was swift and severe.
Mixed Reactions Flood Social Media
The online community's response ranged from mockery to outright anger. One user criticized, "Such a rookie mistake team of #JanaNayaganTrailer. Who is the editor lmfao," while another quipped, "Beginners mistakes." A comment that gained traction pointedly asked, "400cr budget but ai endi ra babu ( ₹400 crore budget, but what is this nonsense, man?)"
Some users framed it as a sign of taking the audience for granted. A post read, "Looks like #JanaNayagan Makers are taking audience for granted! Using Google Gemini AI shots in the trailer even without removing logo is shocking!" Another user sarcastically noted, "Salute for giving credits to AI genuinely."
However, a minority offered a different perspective, defending the choice or criticizing the focus on the issue. "What’s wrong? It's ok they can use," wrote one, while another called out the critics, stating, "So jobless u gotta sit and edit this and spread hate wow… find some life."
Final Bow for Thalapathy Vijay
Despite the trailer controversy, anticipation remains high for the film's release. Jana Nayagan is scheduled to hit theatres on January 9, coinciding with the Makar Sankranti and Pongal festivals. Directed by H. Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions, the film stars Vijay as a cop on a vengeful path.
The cast includes notable names like Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Priyamani, and Narain. The music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander with lyrics by Arivu. This project marks Vijay's last film before he fully transitions into politics, with plans to contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections.
