Thalapathy Vijay’s highly anticipated film Jananayagan has been officially announced for release on January 9th. Meanwhile, producer Akash Bhaskaran had already confirmed Parasakthi as a Pongal release, setting up an intense box office clash between the two films.

Despite Jananayagan’s big-budget appeal and massive fan following, Akash Bhaskaran has stood firm on his decision to release Parasakthi during the Pongal festival. The reason? Next year’s Pongal holiday stretch is unusually long, spanning a full 10 days.

With Jananayagan arriving on January 9, the following days—January 10 (Saturday) and January 11 (Sunday)—will see heavy footfall. While January 12 (Monday) is a working day, the festival holidays from January 13 to 16 (Bhogi, Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal) will ensure continued box office momentum. Additionally, January 17 and 18 (Saturday and Sunday) provide yet another extended break, making it an ideal window for two big releases to thrive.

Industry insiders believe that despite the high-stakes competition, both films have a strong chance of performing well. The big question remains—can Parasakthi hold its own against the might of Jananayagan, or will Vijay’s star power dominate the festive season?