The upcoming Pongal 2026 festival is set to feature an unexpected yet massive box-office showdown between two of Tamil cinema’s biggest names: Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan and Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi. Addressing the buzz surrounding the clash, Sivakarthikeyan recently admitted at his film's audio launch that the scheduling overlap came as a genuine surprise to him, revealing that his team had actively tried to avoid the confrontation.

The Unplanned Pongal Showdown

Sivakarthikeyan openly shared that the political and historical drama Parasakthi—a film set in the 1960s—was never intended for the Pongal slot alongside Vijay's much-hyped project, which is being touted as the superstar’s final film before his political plunge.

The actor explained that Parasakthi was initially slated for a Diwali 2025 release. However, to avoid a direct box-office clash with Jana Nayagan—which was initially eyeing the same festival—the team proactively decided to postpone their release to Pongal 2026. "When both the films ended up releasing for Pongal, I was genuinely shocked," Sivakarthikeyan confessed, noting that the move was unexpected after their careful planning.

A Plea to Change Dates and Investor Constraints

The unexpected news prompted Sivakarthikeyan to immediately reach out to his producer to explore the possibility of shifting the release date yet again. He clarified that changing the date proved unviable due to major logistical and political constraints.

"I called our producer and asked him if we could change our release date," he recalled. However, all investors had already been informed and were locked into the lucrative Pongal release window. Furthermore, pushing the film to the summer of 2026 would be difficult due to the approaching Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, which often complicate film distribution and promotion.

Vijay’s Assurance: The 'Elder Brother' Gesture

Rather than letting speculation turn into rivalry, Sivakarthikeyan took a respectful step by reaching out directly to Vijay’s manager, Jagadish, to flag his concerns, particularly since Jana Nayagan is being promoted with such high stakes.

The response he received from Thalapathy Vijay was both reassuring and warm. Sivakarthikeyan shared the superstar's message with the audience: Vijay sir conveyed that since it was the festive season of Pongal, the box office was large enough to accommodate both films without affecting the performance of either. Vijay also extended his best wishes for Parasakthi.

Concluding his speech on a heartfelt note, Sivakarthikeyan urged fans to celebrate both releases equally. "Vijay sir has entertained us for 33 years. Watch Jana Nayagan [releasing January 9] and then watch Parasakthi on January 10. This is an 'annanthambi' (elder brother- younger brother) Pongal!" This statement successfully turned a potential rivalry narrative into a beautiful message of mutual respect and industry camaraderie, ensuring that this Pongal remains a double treat for Tamil cinema lovers.
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