While fans of actor-politician and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister (CM) C Joseph Vijay continue to await an official update on the final film of his career, Jana Nayagan, they have another reason to celebrate this month. Ahead of TN CM Vijay’s birthday on June 22, the 2017 blockbuster ‘Mersal,’ headlined by Vijay, is set to re-release in theatres as part of his birthday celebrations.

Although Jana Nayagan’s release is still in limbo, the re-release of the 2017 film is expected to generate immense excitement among fans across the state and country.

Mersal to be released in theatres on June 19

The Atlee directorial, Mersal, will be re-released in theatres on June 19, days before CM Vijay’s birthday. However, the special screenings will be held only in the state capital, Chennai and Chengalpattu, elevating the event to an exclusive celebration for local audiences.

The film stands as one of Vijay’s most remarkable performances, as he plays a power-packed triple role; a father and his two sons, all of whom are the look-alikes of each other. The story boasts a gripping plot, following Dr Maaran, a compassionate doctor who offers medical treatment for as less as Rs 5, while secretly exposing corruption and irregularities in India’s medical sector through vigilante-style actions.

Back in 2017, when the film was released, it struck an emotional chord with the audiences and emerged as a major success at the box office. Its blend of action, emotional and social commentary helped it cement its position among the biggest hits of Vijay’s career.

Mersal cast

Alongside Vijay, the film features Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kajal Aggarwal, Nithya Menen, SJ Suryah, Vadivelu and Sathyaraj in key roles. Besides this, the film also boasted a strong technical team led by music composer AR Rehman, cinematographer GK Vishnu and editor Ruben.

Jana Nagan still facing hurdles

Meanwhile, Vijay’s final feature film, Jana Nayagan, continues to face release-related hurdles. Initially, it was expected to arrive in cinemas on January 9 this year, but encountered delays during the certification process. As per reports, concerns had been raised over certain themes involving religion and the armed forces, resulting in complications with the certification approval.

Furthermore, the release process suffered a slowdown due to subsequent legal proceedings and regulatory developments. In February 2026, the producers withdrew their legal challenge and opted to pursue certification through the standard route.

Vijay has shared the screen space with Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju and Prakash Raj in his final acting project.