South Indian cinema controversies from first half of 2026: Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ censor line, ‘Drishyam 3’ and AMMA crisis explained | Tamil Movie News
It has been a tough year for the South Indian film industry, with many legal disputes making headlines in 2026. Issues ranging from anti-ban disputes and copyright infringement to high-profile human rights cases and messy divorces have dominated the entertainment space. Notably, Thalapathy Vijay’s last political actioner ‘Jana Nayagan’ was delayed in release, while ‘Drishyam 3’ fought a copyright fight over its remake rights in Telugu. We’re sharing five of the most important courtroom dramas that changed the face of Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema in the first half of this year.
‘Jana Nayagan’ censor war delayed Vijay’s last film
Marking one of the year’s biggest box-office returns, Thalapathy Vijay’s last film before his entry into politics, “Jana Nayagan,” faced critical reviews. The film’s release was delayed for a long time after the makers failed to get the government’s permission, forcing them to find a legal solution. Adding to the uncertainty surrounding the much-anticipated film, fake images of the unreleased film have reportedly been leaked online.
Ravi Mohan and Aarti Ravi’s divorce case reached the Supreme Court
The ongoing divorce proceedings between actor Ravi Mohan and Aarti Ravi remained a hot topic throughout the year. The legal dispute escalated after Aarti filed a long-term interest claim, claiming that the actor had failed to pay for their children’s education from April 2025. Rejecting the claim, the Madras High Court ordered Ravi Mohan to file a maintenance dispute in the Family Court.
‘Drishyam 3’ ran into copyright trouble for Telugu rights
Despite the ongoing legal dispute over its right to remake in Telugu, ‘Drishyam 3’ went well at the theatres. Rajkumar Theaters Pvt. Ltd. He moved the Madras High Court to protect his translation rights, seeking an injunction against illegal Telugu translations. While the court issued a notice to the concerned parties that the future decisions of Telugu will depend on the final decision, the controversy could not dampen the film’s success. The original Malayalam version, starring Mohanlal, went on to do well at the box office.
Allu Arjun, Jr NTR, Naga Chaitanya, and others fight for human rights
In 2026, the random use of artificial intelligence and digital technology has become a major challenge in the entertainment industry. Popular actors, including Allu Arjun, Jr NTR, and Naga Chaitanya, have moved the Delhi High Court to protect their rights. Through these legal actions, stars strive to prevent unauthorized commercial use of their names, words, likenesses, and AI-generated digital machines.
The AMMA debate it led to resignations and new disputes
The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) has faced its biggest crisis so far following the resignation of its president and all 17 executive committee members over financial disputes. The failure sparked a heated debate at the organization’s annual meeting, which highlighted the challenges of accountability and forced structural changes in the organization.
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