The much-awaited release of Vijay starrer 'Thalaiva' is unlikely on Friday as it is yet to receive tax exemption from the state revenue department, sources said.   Officials who watched the film at a preview theatre in Chennai were not convinced it needed a tax exemption, they said.        

Such being the case, the film is unlikely to be released in the state on Friday as theatre owners and distributors would suffer huge losses, they added. The film, which is already showing in other countries would, however, have its nationwide release on Friday.