Vijay's Jana Nayagan trailer faces backlash over Bhagavanth Kesari comparisons, Gemini AI logo

The trailer of Jana Nayagan, one of the most anticipated South Indian releases, finally dropped on Saturday, riding high on expectations. The film carries special significance as it marks the swansong of actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay. While fans celebrated the glimpse, the internet quickly split into camps, with praise giving way to sharp scrutiny.

Must Check: Prabhas in LCU! Lokesh Kanagaraj reveals if Leo 2 will happen with Thalapathy Vijay

Inspiration or Copy? 

Soon after the trailer went live, sections of the audience began drawing comparisons between Jana Nayagan and Nandamuri Balakrishna and Sreeleela’s National Award-winning Bhagavanth Kesari.

Several users on X claimed certain visuals and themes felt overly familiar, sparking debates around originality. What started as mild criticism soon escalated into a full-blown online discussion.

Everything in #JanaNayagan copied straight from #BhagavanthKesari 🤯
The way the protagonist deals with the enemies and teaches the girl to fight her own battles is reminiscent of 'Bhagavanth Kesari'.
"Women empowerment" and "facing one's fears" are the core messages of both… pic.twitter.com/ZMEZFBAdxC

— Abhinav (@Gayakwad72087) January 4, 2026

Bhagavanth Kesari Trailer vs Jana Nayagan Trailer #JanaNayagan#JanaNayaganTrailer#NandamuriBalaKrishnapic.twitter.com/DxJ1v0Btcm

— ~ V A M S I ~ (@vamsi1531) January 4, 2026

Blink-and-Miss Controversy: Gemini Logo Spotted 

Fuel was added to the fire when a social media user claimed to have spotted Google’s Gemini AI logo embedded briefly in the trailer.

Sharing a screenshot, the user wrote, "In the bottom right corner at the 24-second mark, a logo flashes for just a millisecond. It’s extremely hard to spot, even at 0.25x playback speed. I’m posting this at 12:30 AM on Sunday in case they edit the video or remove it soon."

They used AI Gemini shot and didn't bother to remove the watermark 😭 This is a 300 Cr Movie😭😭😭#JanaNayagan
pic.twitter.com/fCQKTqgn4Z

— KBP Reviews (@KshitizCritic) January 3, 2026

The post went viral, with users questioning why a film reportedly mounted on a massive Rs 400 crore budget would rely on AI-generated elements. 

X Reacts: Fans and Critics Lock Horns

Reactions on X were swift and polarising. One user remarked that using AI in big-budget cinema felt “lazy and cost-cutting,” while another argued that AI tools are now part of modern filmmaking and shouldn’t be demonised. 

Some Vijay fans came out strongly in defence, urging critics to wait for the full film before jumping to conclusions. Others, however, demanded transparency from the makers. 

One user wrote, “Rs 400 crore budget and still using AI assets? That Gemini logo was embarrassing for a film of this scale.” 

Another wrote, “Did anyone else notice the Gemini AI watermark in Jana Nayagan trailer? Blink and miss, but once you see it, you can’t unsee it.” (sic)

Meanwhile, another user noted, “Vijay’s final film deserved better. The trailer looks inspired way too much by Bhagavanth Kesari.” (sic)

“Using AI isn’t the issue. Getting caught using AI in a mega-budget film is the real problem," penned another user. (sic)

Also Read: Leo 2 is possible, depends on Thalapathy Vijay: Lokesh Kanagaraj

All Eyes on January 9

Despite the controversy, Jana Nayagan remains on track for its theatrical release on January 9. Whether the chatter impacts box office fortunes or fades as pre-release noise remains to be seen- but for now, the trailer has certainly ensured Thalapathy Vijay's film stays at the centre of public conversation.