The Pongal 2026 film releases in Tamil Nadu have turned contentious with a heated clash between two major movies: Thalapathy Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan' and Sivakarthikeyan's 'Parasakthi'. 'Jana Nayagan', positioned as Vijay's final cinematic venture before his full-time entry into politics, was initially set for a January 9, 2026 release. However, it faced significant delays due to ongoing censor board issues and legal battles, pushing its potential pan-India release to February, with a Kerala release confirmed for January 14. Conversely, Sivakarthikeyan's 'Parasakthi', initially slated for January 14, was preponed to January 10, 2026, successfully securing its U/A certificate after some initial hurdles. This overlap has ignited intense rivalry among the fan bases, leading to public order issues. Reports confirm that Vijay's fans engaged in vandalism, tearing down 'Parasakthi' posters outside theatres in Madurai during 'Jana Nayagan' trailer screenings. Furthermore, Vijay's supporters allegedly gatecrashed 'Parasakthi's' audio launch, chanting slogans for his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Theatre owners have also reported harassment, with one in Kumbakonam alleging abuse for prioritizing 'Parasakthi' screens. The conflict is exacerbated by political undertones, as 'Parasakthi' is produced by a banner associated with the DMK first family (Udhayanidhi Stalin's ecosystem), transforming the box office battle into a perceived political showdown or "referendum" ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections. Despite actors' calls for peaceful celebration, the fan rivalry continues to escalate, making the Pongal festive season an 'ugly' battleground for cinema and politics.