Key facts
- Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan' faced a censor certification dispute
- 'Drishyam 3' is among the South Indian controversies of 2026
- Round-up covers the first half of 2026
- Compiled by Times of India
South Indian cinema has been a hotbed of controversy in the opening months of 2026, with a series of disputes ranging from censor certification rows to franchise announcements generating debate both within the industry and among audiences nationwide, according to a Times of India round-up.
The most prominent flashpoint has been the censor row surrounding Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan'. The certification dispute drew national attention, with the film — starring one of Tamil cinema's biggest stars — caught in a stand-off that highlighted the ongoing tensions between filmmakers, certification authorities, and the political sensitivities that often inform such decisions in southern cinema. Vijay, who has recently stepped into active politics, finds his cinematic work under a sharper public lens than ever before.
'Drishyam 3' has also generated its share of intrigue and debate. The franchise, which has become one of Malayalam cinema's most celebrated modern properties, faces the considerable weight of audience expectations that come with continuing a critically and commercially acclaimed series.
The pattern of controversies across these six months points to a South Indian film industry operating at greater scale and visibility than at any previous point — which means that disputes, creative decisions, and certification battles are now national news rather than regional footnotes. With pan-India releases and massive OTT footprints, what happens in Chennai or Kochi reverberates in multiplexes and living rooms from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.