No big-ticket Kollywood release for Pongal 2026? After Vijay’s 'Jana Nayagan', Sivakarthikeyan's 'Parasakthi' face CBFC roadblock

It seems like 2026 Pongal is likely to be a dull Pongal for Tamil movie lovers as Kollywood's two big-ticket films, Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan and Sivakarthikeyan's Parasakthi, face uncertainties regarding release due to pending Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) clearances.

While Jana Nayagan is currently in a legal battle, Parasakthi also awaits certification. The CBFC has reportedly suggested over 20 cuts to Parasakthi, which director Sudha Kongara has opposed. The film's makers had announced January 10 as release date for the film.

The CBFC's examining committee at the Chennai regional office has reportedly suggested 23 cuts to the film, and director Kongara has now appealed to the CBFC's revising committee for certification.

'Parasakthi', Sivakarthikeyan's 25th film, is set in the 1960s amid the backdrop of anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu. Ravi Mohan plays the antagonist, marking a departure for the actor known for roles in films such as Jeyam, Ponniyin Selvan, and Thanni Oruvan. Atharvaa also plays a key role.

According to reports, the CBFC's examining authority objected to scenes related to anti-Hindi agitations in the film, recommending their removal or modification. Kongara opposed these changes, stating they would tamper with the film's narrative.

Meanwhile, the Madras High Court is expected to rule on the Jana Nayagan certification dispute on Friday. The film's producers state that the examining committee initially approved the film with a U/A certificate after a complaint from an examining committee member, a move the producers deemed unprecedented.