In a moment that brought a three-decade-long cinematic journey to a poignant close, actor-politician Thalapathy Vijay officially announced his retirement from acting on Saturday, December 27, 2025. Speaking at the grand audio launch of his 69th and final film, Jana Nayagan, held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Malaysia, the 51-year-old superstar confirmed he is hanging up his greasepaint to serve the people of Tamil Nadu through his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
The Final Speech: “Repaying the Debt of Gratitude”
The event, titled “Thalapathy Thiruvizha” (Festival of Thalapathy), saw an unprecedented turnout of over 85,000 fans. Despite strict guidelines from Malaysian authorities prohibiting direct political campaigning, Vijay used the stage to deliver a deeply emotional message to his followers.
- On His Journey: “I’ve faced every kind of criticism right from day one—the same old story. But for 33 years, you have stood by me. I came here to build a small sand house, but you gave me a palace.”
- On Standing for the People: “For me, one thing matters: people stand in theaters for me. For that reason, I am ready to stand for them for the next 33 years. I will repay this debt of gratitude.”
- The “Solo” Hint: Addressing rumors about political alliances, he teased: “Lately, there is a lot of talk about whether I will stand alone. When have I ever stood alone? For 33 years, I have had you. When this is such a strong team, how can I be alone?”
A Star-Studded Goodbye
The 10-hour musical extravaganza featured live performances by Anirudh Ravichander and a host of industry giants who flew in to honor the actor.1
- Celebrity Guests: Directors Atlee, Nelson Dilipkumar, and Lokesh Kanagaraj shared the stage, with Atlee describing Vijay as the “root” that never leaves its people.
- The Performance: For the final time, Vijay thrilled the crowd by dancing to Thalapathy Kacheri, the high-energy anthem from the film, alongside choreographers Shobi and Shekar Masters.
- Family Moment: In a surprise appearance, Vijay’s mother, Shoba Chandrasekhar, performed a classic hit, Kodambakkam Area, alongside singer Tippu.
Jana Nayagan: The Final Project
Directed by H. Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions, Jana Nayagan is described as a political action thriller that mirrors Vijay’s real-life transition.2
| Detail | Information |
| Release Date | January 9, 2026 (Pongal Release) |
| Lead Cast | Vijay, Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol |
| Supporting Cast | Prakash Raj, Priyamani, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Menon |
| Music | Anirudh Ravichander (his 5th collaboration with Vijay) |
What’s Next? The 2026 Battle
With Jana Nayagan hitting screens in less than two weeks, Vijay will pivot entirely to his political outfit, TVK. The party is gearing up for a high-stakes debut in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, where Vijay is expected to be the Chief Ministerial face of a potential third-front alliance.3