Happy Birthday Vijay: A Look at Times Thalapathy Played A Cop Before Jana Nayagan

News18

22-06-2025

Thalapathy Vijay's birthday is special as he reveals Jana Nayagan, his last film before his political journey. The teaser shows him as a cop, hinting at a political theme.
There's always a buzz around a Thalapathy Vijay birthday, but this year, it is a lot more special and a lot more different. This year, it comes with a tinge of sentiment and celebration, as everything that happens around the film might turn out to be his last in the film space, as the actor has declared Jana Nayagan to be his last film ahead of his political journey. As a treat to his fans, the teaser of his much-awaited film is finally here, revealing Vijay in the role of a police officer. The title, which loosely translates to 'People's Leader," is telling of how the film will be a tool to his upcoming political journey–a technique that has been employed in Tamil since the Dravidian movement.
As fans dissect every frame of the teaser, the return of Vijay in khaki stirs up nostalgia. While the role of a cop is a tried-and-tested trope in Tamil cinema, Vijay has brought his own flavour to it every single time. Before Jana Nayagan gears up to be his swan song, here's a look at the times Thalapathy played a cop and left an indelible mark.
If one has to pick films that changed the course of Vijay's career, Pokkiri would be right there at the top. Directed by Prabhu Deva and based on Mahesh Babu's Telugu blockbuster of the same name, the film starts off presenting Vijay as a morally grey gangster. But the twist—that he is, in fact, an undercover cop—gave the film a seismic shift in tone and elevated its emotional core. Vijay's performance as a gangster who doesn't flinch while dropping bodies made the film a blockbuster, as all the violence takes a seismic shift after the big reveal that he is a cop. He balanced the brashness of a rowdy with the quiet righteousness of a cop, and the result was both massy and memorable. Pokkiri remains a fan favourite because it marked the shift of Vijay from being a star to Thalapathy.
Jilla (2014)
What if a person who detests cops, due to his tragic past, is forced to become one? Jilla is a film that explores this one-liner, which is also about the transformation of a morally corrupt gangster into a righteous police officer. In Jilla, Vijay's character doesn't start off as a cop by choice. Adopted by a don played by Mohanlal, he becomes a police officer more out of obligation than passion. But as the story unfolds, Vijay's character undergoes an arc that sees him embracing justice over loyalty. What made Jilla stand out was the emotional core between Mohanlal and Vijay, and how the khaki became a symbol of inner conflict rather than just power. While Jilla isn't a blockbuster like Theri or Pokkiri, it is a film that has Vijay who is fun and a delight to watch. Also, who wouldn't enjoy watching Vijay rubbing shoulders with Malayalam superstar Mohanlal?
Theri (2016)
Every top hero in Tamil cinema tends to add a version of Rajinikanth's Baasha to his filmography. The story of an innocent-looking common man with a past as a dreaded gangster is a perfect setup for any hero to exhibit his acting versatility and also his heroism. Theri was Vijay's Baasha. With Theri, director Atlee gave Vijay another role that walked the tightrope between sentiment and swag. Vijay plays a cop who goes into hiding with his daughter after a personal tragedy. The film lets him switch between a soft-spoken father named Joseph Kuruvilla and a fierce police officer Vijay Kumar with seamless ease. The film was full of mass moments that continue to be played and replayed on YouTube. Veteran Tamil filmmaker Mahendran, an inspiration to Rajinikanth, played the villain, making the film all the more special.
Jana Nayagan: The Return to the Badge
Details about Jana Nayagan are still under wraps, but from the teaser, it's evident that this is not just another cop film. The title, the tone, and the visuals all suggest a political undercurrent. Rumours suggest it could be a story of a cop who turns politician. But nothing has been officially confirmed. Either way, Vijay looks intense, weathered, and ready. If this is to be his final bow before stepping into a new phase of public life, Jana Nayagan might be a culmination–expect callbacks and tribute to all his hits. And it will also be a conversation–a final adieu to his beloved fans and a welcome to his followers.
On his birthday, as fans celebrate his past glories and await his future moves, one thing remains clear: few stars wear the khaki like Thalapathy Vijay. And in Jana Nayagan, it might just become a symbol of something far bigger.
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