Two major Tamil films with political undertones are set to release back-to-back during the Pongal festival in 2026, turning the celebration into a political referendum between actor Vijay's camp and the DMK party.
The upcoming Pongal season in Tamil Nadu features a high-stakes cinematic clash between Jana Nayagan, starring Vijay, and Parasakthi, produced by a relative of DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin. Jana Nayagan, billed as Vijay's final film before his full entry into politics with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), releases on January 9, 2026. Its trailer portrays Vijay's character, Thalapathy Vetri Kondan—sharing initials with TVK—as an ordinary man achieving extraordinary feats, ending with the line, “I am coming.” The film draws parallels to Telugu movie Bhagavanth Kesari in themes of women empowerment and political messaging.
Parasakthi, starring Sivakarthikeyan and directed by Sudha Kongara, follows on January 10, its date advanced from January 14. Produced by Aakash Baskaran, whose wife is a great-granddaughter of DMK patriarch Karunanidhi and who faces an Enforcement Directorate probe, the film is set during the 1960s anti-Hindi agitations. Its trailer depicts protests against Hindi imposition as the sole official language, featuring a line: “We are only against the imposition of Hindi; not against Hindi or its native speakers.” Rumors suggest potential cuts to anti-Hindi scenes amid the poll-bound state's sensitivities.
Both films boast budgets over Rs 100 crore, with Jana Nayagan's higher due to Vijay's fee. Off-screen tensions include torn Parasakthi posters during a Jana Nayagan trailer screening in Madurai, blamed on Vijay fans, and “TVK” chants disrupting Parasakthi's audio launch in Chennai. Screen allocations balance at 500-600 for Jana Nayagan and 400-450 for Parasakthi out of 1,200 total.
Sivakarthikeyan expressed nervousness, noting the shift from Diwali to Pongal to avoid clash, but producers couldn't reschedule further due to investors and 2026 elections. He appealed: “Everyone, please go and watch Jana Nayagan on January 9... After that, on January 10, come to the theatres, watch Parasakthi.” Insiders view this as a rehearsal for politics, where cinema blurs into slogans in Tamil Nadu.