The trailer for actor Vijay's highly anticipated new film, "Jana Nayagan," has ignited a significant online debate after sharp-eyed viewers spotted a Google Gemini artificial intelligence logo. The brief appearance of the AI watermark in the trailer, released on Saturday, January 4, 2026, has drawn widespread criticism from fans and netizens, raising questions about filmmaking standards and the increasing use of AI in major productions. The film, reportedly made on a budget of up to ₹400 crore, is set to be Vijay's final movie before he transitions into politics.
AI Logo Prompts Online Backlash
The controversy erupted when viewers paused the "Jana Nayagan" trailer at approximately the 0:23-second mark. In a fleeting sequence, a visual showing a character with a machine gun or cocking a shotgun prominently displayed the Google Gemini AI logo in the bottom-right corner of the screen. This unexpected oversight quickly went viral across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), leading to a torrent of comments and screen recordings. Many online users expressed shock and disappointment, calling the incident a "rookie mistake" and an "absolute insult" to traditional filmmaking craftsmanship.[123telugu+5]
"Using Google Gemini AI shots in the trailer even without removing Logo is Shocking!! Using AI for Such Simple Shots is alarming & Raising Doubts on filmmaking Standards!!" one user wrote on X. Another commented, "Could've atleast hired some good editors and blurred the star AI-Nayagan!!" The visible watermark sparked intense discussion about how such an error could pass through quality control for a film with a substantial budget and high expectations.[bollywoodshaadis+4]
Filmmakers Respond to Criticism
Following the rapid spread of the controversy, reports indicate that the Google Gemini AI logo was quietly removed from the "Jana Nayagan" trailer. However, by the time the rectification occurred, numerous screen recordings and discussions had already cemented the issue in the public consciousness. As of Monday, January 5, 2026, there has been no official statement or clarification from the film's director H. Vinoth, or the production company, KVN Productions, regarding the appearance of the AI watermark.[bollywoodshaadis+4]
The film is a political action thriller, intended to be Vijay's 69th and final film as a lead actor before his full-time entry into politics. This added layer of significance has amplified the scrutiny, with fans expressing concern over the perceived carelessness in a project marking such a pivotal moment in the actor's career. The film stars Vijay alongside Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, and Mamitha Baiju, with music composed by Anirudh Ravichander.[pragativadi+5]
What is Gemini AI?
Google Gemini is a powerful artificial intelligence model developed by Google. It is designed to handle a wide range of tasks, including generating images, writing code, summarizing text, and translating languages. Gemini powers various Google products and developer tools, particularly in areas involving content creation and workflow productivity. The appearance of a Gemini AI watermark in a film trailer suggests that AI tools may have been utilized during the production or post-production process, possibly for concept art, pre-visualization, background generation, or even short video segments.[storyboard18+1]
While AI tools offer benefits like accelerating workflows and potentially saving time and money, they also introduce new risks. These risks include licensing issues, unintended watermark leaks, and ethical questions surrounding originality and creative integrity. The incident with "Jana Nayagan" has brought these concerns to the forefront, particularly for high-profile, big-budget commercial projects.[storyboard18+2]
Broader Implications for Filmmaking
The "Jana Nayagan" controversy has reignited a broader debate within the entertainment industry about the growing role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. While some argue that AI tools are becoming increasingly common for early-stage creative experimentation, others view such an incident as evidence of careless filmmaking and an over-reliance on technology. Critics worry that the integration of AI without proper transparency or quality controls could undermine the creative process and lead to a decline in filmmaking standards.[pragativadi+4]
This incident follows previous controversies involving AI, such as Google Gemini's own issues with generating historically inaccurate images, which led to an apology and temporary pause of its image generation feature in early 2024. The debate surrounding AI in creative fields is ongoing, with many industry professionals questioning its ethical implications and potential impact on human artistry.[in+2]
"This is unacceptable. This shouldn't be the norm. AI doesn't belong in movies, and it's important to call out people who use it in mainstream media," one user stated on X, reflecting a common sentiment. Another user expressed disbelief, saying, "₹400 crore budget, but what is this, man?"[reddit+1]
The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on January 9, 2026, coinciding with the Pongal festival. Despite the online uproar, the film's release date remains unchanged. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex challenges and public scrutiny facing the film industry as it increasingly explores the integration of artificial intelligence into its creative processes.[in+3]
