This Pongal is a tricky timing for Kollywood. Five films are in queue to get released.

1. Surya’s Thaanaa Serndha Koottam

Director: Vignesh Shivan

Music: Anirudh Ravichander

Cast: Surya, Keerthy Suresh, Karthik, Ramya Krishnan

The film is said to be a remake of Akshay Kumar’s Special 26. The story is inspired from a real life incident in 1987 when a group posing as CBI raided a jewellery showroom in Mumbai and stole around 35 lakhs. The film is expected to be a family entertainer.

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2. Vikram’s Sketch

Director: Vijay Chandar

Music: S Thaman

Cast: Vikram, Thamannaah, Soori , Ravi Kishnan

Vikram does the titular character ‘Sketch’ who is a rowdy. The film will have a ‘stylish’ take on Vada Chennai (North Chennai) which is otherwise shown rural and rustic in films, says the director.

3. Prabhu Deva’s Gulaebaghavali

Director: Kalyaan

Music: Vivek-Mervin

Cast: Prabhu Deva, Hansika, Revathy

The film is set to be a lavish costume drama. Hansika plays the role of a con artist and thief. Another highlight of the film is that there is a replica of the hanging garden of Babylon used for a song. With the help of CGI, the film will have some spectacular scenes.

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4. Kalakalappu 2 –ensemble cast

Director: Sundar. C

Music: Hiphop Tamizha

Cast: Jiva, Jai, Shiva, Nikki Galrani, Catherine Tresa

The film is a sequel of Kalakalappu (2012). The movie will be a complete comedy entertainer.

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5. Madura Veeran

Director: P.G Muthiah

Music: Santhosh Dhayanidhi

Cast: Shanmuga Pandian Meenakshi, Samuthirakani, Vela Ramamoorthy

The title is borrowed from MGR’s 1955 film. The story is on Jallikattu (bullfight) and the politics associated with it. The film shows scenes of Marina beach protests against Jallikattu ban in Tamil Nadu. The director states that the film will be favouring the tradition rather than the politics behind the bullfight ban.

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However, the major clash will be between Surya’s and Vikram’s films. Once both films have grabbed enough theatres, the other films will have to be content with the rest and look forward to slowly pick up the pace.

 “There are currently around 1,162 screens in Tamil Nadu, out of which 950 to 1000 are fit for new releases... if a star-powered film manages to get released in 450-500 screens in Tamil Nadu, smaller films will probably get about 150-200 screens, depending on the clout of the distributor.” (Sreedhar Pillai, Firstpost.com)

The fans are eagerly waiting for this Friday for Sketch and Thaanaa Serndha Koottam. Pongal is celebrated from January 14 to 17.