The Tamil film industry is set for a monumental box office clash during the Pongal festival of 2026, pitting two of the industry's biggest stars against each other. Sivakarthikeyan's highly anticipated film 'Parasakthi' is scheduled for release on January 10, 2026, directly clashing with Thalapathy Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan', which arrives a day earlier on January 9, 2026. The clash has sent ripples through Kollywood, especially since 'Jana Nayagan' is being widely promoted as Vijay's final cinematic venture before he dedicates himself fully to a political career.
SK's Candid Admission of Shock and Nervousness
During a recent pre-release event for 'Parasakthi', Sivakarthikeyan opened up candidly about his initial reaction to the scheduling conflict. He disclosed that his team had originally planned a Diwali 2025 release but stepped back upon learning that Vijay's project had already secured that date. "We dropped the idea and continued working on our film with Pongal in mind," SK explained. The actor expressed genuine shock when he later discovered that the 'Jana Nayagan' team had also shifted their release to the Pongal 2026 window.
Sivakarthikeyan did not hide his anxiety about the situation. He admitted the news made him nervous, a feeling compounded by the significant context surrounding Vijay's film. The fact that 'Jana Nayagan' is touted as Vijay's last film adds immense weight and audience expectation to its release, creating a daunting competitive scenario for any film sharing the same season.
The Producer's Dilemma and Election Timing
When the clash became apparent, Sivakarthikeyan took proactive steps to explore the possibility of moving his film's release date. He recounted a conversation with his producer, Akash, asking if they could shift to avoid the direct confrontation. However, the producer presented compelling logistical and financial reasons why a change was not feasible.
All investors had already been formally informed about the Pongal 2026 release plan. More importantly, postponing the film would have pushed its release to the summer of 2026, a period that coincides with the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Releasing a major film during the intense political campaigning and voting season is generally considered unfavorable, as it can divert public attention and affect box office collections.
Vijay's Response and a Message of Unity
In a bid to understand the situation better, Sivakarthikeyan reached out directly to Vijay's camp. He humorously yet earnestly questioned the clash, noting that while Vijay might not face issues, he certainly would. According to SK, Vijay's manager called back within five minutes with a response from the superstar himself.
Vijay conveyed his belief that the Pongal festival season offers enough space for both films to succeed without negatively impacting each other's box office performance. He also extended his best wishes for the success of 'Parasakthi'. This gesture seems to have reassured Sivakarthikeyan to an extent.
Ending his address on a gracious note, Sivakarthikeyan made a heartfelt appeal to fans. He urged them to first celebrate Vijay's legacy by watching 'Jana Nayagan' on January 9, honoring an icon who has entertained audiences for over three decades. Subsequently, he requested them to come to the theatres on January 10 to watch and celebrate 'Parasakthi'. This call for mutual celebration underscores his previous statements where he clarified he never asked audiences to choose one film over the other.
This Pongal 2026 clash is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about events in Tamil cinema, blending high-stakes box office competition with the emotional farewell of a beloved star.
