6 Tamil and Telugu films to release on Pongal, Sankranti 2026: From Prabhas’s The Raja Saab to Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan

Pongal and Sankranti are prime cinema viewing occasions, drawing families and friends to theaters for a grand cinematic celebration. As this festive season is approaching, the anticipation of many blockbuster Tamil and Telugu films hitting the silver screens has increased. Get ready to explore the most anticipated releases.

6 Tamil and Telugu films to release on Pongal/Sankranti 2026

1. Raja Saab

• Mould: Prabhas, Sanjay Dutt, Malvika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agarwal, Riddhi Kumar, Boman Irani, Zarina Wahab, Samuthirkani, Vennela Kishore
• Director: Maruthi
• Language: Telugu
• Style: romantic horror comedy
• Release date: 9 January 2026

Raja Saab is a romantic horror comedy starring Prabhas in the lead role. Directed by Maruthi, the film tells the story of a young man who plans to sell his grandfather’s ancestral mansion to acquire a huge fortune.

However, things take a turn for the worse when he is forced to confront the evil spirit of his grandfather, who haunts the mansion. The story unfolds in a humorous tone as he attempts to survive supernatural trials and defeat the spirit.

Promising to be a thoroughly entertaining film full of comedy, romance, music and action, The Raja Saab is expected to be a top festival release.

2. Anangana Oka Raju

• Mould: Naveen Polishetty, Meenakshi Choudhary, Rao Ramesh
• Director: Mari
• Language: Telugu
• Style: romantic comedy
• Release date: 14 January 2026

Anangana Oka Raju is an upcoming Telugu-language romantic comedy starring Naveen Polishetty and Meenakshi Choudhary in the lead roles. Directed by Maari, the film features the Chhichhore actor in a quirky and fun avatar.

While more details about the plot are awaited, the makers recently released intriguing promos and announced that the first single will be released soon.

3. Man Shankara Varaprasad Guru

• Mould: Chiranjeevi, Nayanthara, Catherine Tresa, VTV Ganesh, Venkatesh Daggubati (cameo)
• Director: Anil Ravipudi
• Language: Telugu
• Style: comedy action drama
• Release date: January 12, 2026 (tentative)

Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu is a comedy-action drama aimed to release in Sankranthi 2026. Although the official date has not been confirmed yet, reports suggest that the film is likely to hit the theaters on January 12, 2026.

The film is expected to be a complete family entertainer mixing action and comedy. With Venkatesh Daggubati appearing in an extended cameo, the title pays homage to Chiranjeevi’s original name, Konidela Sivasankar Varaprasad.

4. Parashakti

• Mould: Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharva Murali, Sreeleela, Basil Joseph, Rana Daggubati
• Director: Sudha Kongara
• Language: tamil
• Style: period political drama
• Release date: 14 January 2026

Sivakarthikeyan is all set to return to the big screen this festive season with his much-awaited period political drama, Parashakthi. Directed by Sudha Kongara, the film reportedly stars the Amaran actor as a student leader who opposes the imposition of a language on the Tamil people.

Along with Ravi Mohan who plays the main antagonist, the film also stars Sreeleela (in her Tamil debut) and Atharvaa Murali in the co-lead roles. Basil Joseph and Rana Daggubati are also expected to appear in important roles.

Originally, the project was planned with Suriya, titled Puranaanuru. However, after that version was shelved, the director teamed up with SK to bring the story to life.

5. RT76 (temporary)

• Mould: Ravi Teja, Aashika Ranganath (temporary)
• Director: Kishore Tirumala
• Language: Telugu
• Style: action romance
• Release date: 13 January 2026

After the release of Mass Jathara on October 31, 2025, Ravi Teja will return to the theaters with his tentatively titled romantic action film, RT76. Directed by Nenu Shailaja fame Kishore Tirumala, the film is expected to be a mass entertainer similar to Teja’s previous efforts.

Although specific details about the story have been kept under wraps, reports suggest that Aashika Ranganath will play the lead role.

6. Jan Naigan

• Mould: Thalapathy Vijay, Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamita Baiju, Gautam Vasudev Menon, Priyamani, Narayan, Prakash Raj
• Director: H Vinoth
• Language: tamil
• Style: political action drama
• Release date: 9 January 2026

Jana Nayagan, starring Thalapathy Vijay, is scheduled for theatrical release in Pongal 2026. The political action drama is said to feature Vijay as a former police officer.

Although the story has been kept under wraps, reports indicate that the film has a sci-fi background, with a climax where Vijay’s character fights humanoids, exploring the theme of “humans versus AI”.

Additionally, there is speculation that the first single from the film will be released in early November 2025.

Although these films have confirmed their releases for Pongal/Sankranti 2026, some of them are likely to be postponed to avoid box office clashes with each other.

Also read: Producer of Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayakan to release first single in early November 2025?