Cauvery Protests Disrupt Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ Shows in Karnataka

New Delhi, July 31, 2026 Protests in Karnataka over the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu have begun affecting the theatrical run of Thalapathy Vijay’s *Jana Nayagan*. Amid demonstrations by farmers and pro-Kannada organisations, several theatres have suspended screenings, removed the film’s posters and banners, and taken precautionary measures to avoid law-and-order concerns. Released on July 23, *Jana Nayagan* was initially screened in around 125–150 theatres across Karnataka, including more than 75 single-screen theatres and nearly 50 multiplex screens. At Bengaluru’s Urvashi Theatre, screenings were halted following a police advisory, while posters and cut-outs were removed and the scheduled shows were replaced by the Kannada film *Karavali*. Police personnel have also been deployed outside the theatre. In Mandya, pro-Kannada activists removed promotional banners of the film as tensions over the Cauvery dispute intensified. The Karnataka Film Chamber has called a meeting to discuss the cancellations. Meanwhile, the Cauvery Water Management Authority upheld the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s recommendation to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. Kannada organisations and farmers have opposed the decision, arguing that Karnataka is already facing a water shortage and that the release could affect farmers in the state. Congress MP from Tamil Nadu Karti Chidambaram has called for the Cauvery Board’s order to be fully implemented. "We are very clear there is a Cauvery Management Board and whatever the management board decides has to be implemented. That is our position. We are very clear in Tamil Nadu that the arrangement, agreement, and verdict of the Cauvery Management Board must be implemented in total," he said. As protests continue, the Cauvery dispute is now creating uncertainty around *Jana Nayagan*’s screenings across Karnataka.