Pongal 2025 Tamil releases: Kadhalikka Neramillai, Game Changer to Vanangaan, all films slated for festive season

With Vidaamuyarchi out of the Pongal race, Tamil cinema found itself a quick solution to make the most out of the festive season. Several medium and small-budget films have filled up the slot, giving a wide range of choices for audiences this Pongal. With the festival celebrated for 2-3 days in Tamil Nadu, the industry too is set to witness film releases on different dates of the Pongal season.

Also read: Most-awaited Tamil OTT releases in January 2025 on Hotstar, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Sony LIV, Aha, ZEE5  

Pongal 2025 Tamil releases: Kadhalikka Neramillai, Game Changer to Vanangaan

Vanangaan – January 10

Vanangaan is a Tamil film directed by Bala, starring Arun Vijay in the lead role. The film was initially planned with Suriya and also went into production. However, after Bala and Suriya could not shoot in live locations with the actor, the film was made with Arun Vijay. Vanangaan has music by GV Prakash Kumar and also stars Roshni Prakash, Samuthirakani, Mysskin, Ridha, Chhaya Devi, Bala Sivaji, Shanmugarajan, Yohan Chacko, Kavitha Gopi, Brindha Sarathy, Mai Pa Narayanan, Aruldas, Munish Sivagurunath and others.

Madraskaaran – January 10

Madraskaaran marks Malayalam actor Shane Nigam's Tamil debut. The film is directed by Vaali Mohan Das and features an ensemble cast including actors Kalaiyarasan, Niharika Konidela, Aishwarya Dutta, Karunas, Pandiarajan, and others. The film is expected to be an action drama loaded with emotions, in which Shane will play a Tamil boy from Pudukottai. It is to be noted that Madraskaaran will be Niharika's second Tamil project after Oru Nalla Naal Paathu Solren. With Prasanna cranking the camera, the upcoming film has music scored by Sam CS. It is produced by B Jagadish of SR Productions.

Game Changer – January 10

Game Changer is a political action thriller headlined by Ram Charan. Filmmaker Shankar is helming the project, which also features Kiara Advani, Anjali, SJ Suryah, Samuthirakani, and others. Game Changer has music by S Thaman, and will release in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi.

Also read: 8 potential Tamil blockbusters in 2025: Coolie to Thug Life 

Madha Gaja Raja – January 12

After being in the can for almost 13 years, Madha Gaja Raja starring Vishal in the lead role is all set to hit theatres. The film is a commercial entertainer directed by Sundar C. With music by Vijay Antony, the cast includes Anjali, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Santhanam and others.

Kadhalikka Neramillai – January 14

Kadhalikka Neramillai is a romantic drama in which actors Jayam Ravi and Nithya Menen will star onscreen for the first time together. Helmed by Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi, Kadhalikka Neramillai is touted to be a mature love story. AR Rahman is scoring music for the film. Others part of the cast include Vinay Rai, Yogi Babu, Lal, John Kokken, TJ Bhanu, Lakshmy Ramakrishnan, and Vinodhini, among others.

Nesippaya – January 14

Nesippaya featuring Aditi Shankar and Akash Murali in the lead roles is a romantic drama. The film is helmed by Vishnu Vardhan, marking his comeback after four years since the release of his Hindi film Shershaah in 2021. Apart from the lead actors, it will also feature R Sarath Kumar, Prabhu, Raja, Kushboo, and Kalki Koechlin. Yuvan Shankar Raja is scoring music for the film.

Tharunam – Pongal 2025

Kishen Das' film Tharunam is gearing up for Pongal release, although a release date is yet to be announced. Also starring Smruthi Venkat, Tharunam is helmed by Arvindh Srinivasan. Raj Ayyappa and Bala Saravanan also play prominent part in the film which is touted to be a love story.

Sumo – Pongal 2025

Sumo is yet another Tamil film which has been waiting to see daylight for a long time. The film features Mirchi Shiva in the lead role, with Priya Anand as the female lead. Sumo is helmed by SP Hosimin. Yoshinori Tashiro, VTV Ganesh, Chetan, Besant Ravi, Srinath, Yogi Babu and others are also part of Sumo. It is touted to be a comedy entertainer and will revolve around a sumo who has a low IQ level and gets washed up at a beach shore in Chennai.