Thalapathy Vijay Announces Retirement From Acting After 33 Years, Says Jan Nayagan Will Be His Final Film

Vijay made the emotional announcement on Saturday during the audio launch event of Jan Nayagan in Malaysia. Addressing fans from the stage, the 51-year-old actor said he has taken a conscious decision to step away from cinema and focus on public service.

Vijay began his film journey at the age of 10 as a child artist in the Tamil film Vetri. He later made his debut as a lead actor at 18 with Naalaiya Theerpu (1992). Over the decades, he emerged as one of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars, earning a loyal fan following across generations.

Speaking directly to his supporters, Vijay said, “Only one thing matters to me. People come to theatres for me and stand in line. That is why I want to stand for them for the next 30 to 33 years. For these very fans, I am retiring from cinema.”

Reflecting on his journey, the actor acknowledged that he faced criticism from the very beginning of his career. However, he credited his fans for standing by him through every phase. Vijay said he would forever cherish the love, trust, and encouragement he received over the last three decades.

Last year, Vijay launched his political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, marking his formal entry into politics. The party is expected to contest the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in 2026, signaling a new chapter in his public life.

With Jan Nayagan set to be his farewell film, Vijay’s announcement has left fans emotional while also raising anticipation for his political journey ahead.