Chennai: As Tamil Nadu collectively holds its breath, counting down to May 4th for the verdict of its recently concluded Assembly elections, a bizarre incident at one of the state’s highly secured Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) strong rooms has raised eyebrows and landed an official in hot water. The sanctity of electoral security was momentarily overshadowed by a cinematic transgression, as a guard tasked with monitoring EVMs was caught red-handed watching a pirated version of actor-politician Vijay’s unreleased film, Jana Nayagan.
The incident unfolded at Anna University in Kotturpuram, Chennai, a designated counting centre. Yuvaraj, the person responsible for overseeing the vital CCTV feeds, ensuring the uncompromised security of the EVMs, reportedly shared the post on social media. His laptop screen, prominently displaying the pirated movie Jana Nayagan, was captured within the very CCTV security room he was meant to be guarding.
Following the circulation of his post, Kottupuram police swiftly intervened. Yuvaraj has since been reprimanded and reportedly arrested, facing charges not only for dereliction of duty during his work hours but also for the illegal act of consuming pirated content. The lapse has sparked discussions about the protocols and vigilance maintained at these critical electoral facilities.
The movie at the centre of this controversy, Jana Nayagan, has had a troubled journey to the screen. Directed by H Vinoth and featuring a star-studded cast including Vijay, Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju, Bobby Deol, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Narain, and Priyamani, the action-packed film was initially scheduled for a grand theatrical release during the Pongal festival in January. However, a series of production and logistical delays forced its postponement.
Further compounding the woes of its makers, Jana Nayagan suffered a devastating leak on April 9th, with the entire film appearing on various illegal pirated sites. This significant breach caused immense distress to the production team, prompting immediate action from police and cybercrime departments, leading to arrests and efforts to curtail its online spread. In a related development, the film’s editor, Pradeep E Ragav, was recently suspended by the South Indian Film Editor’s Association (SIFEA), which found him partially responsible for the leak, allegedly carried out by a freelance editor.
Amidst this cinematic drama, the film’s star, Vijay, is currently navigating his own political debut. Leading the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, the actor-turned-politician contended for the chief ministerial race in the recent elections. As the state eagerly awaits the vote count on May 4th, Vijay, in a pre-counting ritual, paid a visit to the revered Tiruchendur Murugan Temple on Monday, a week before the results are declared.