Tamil cinema witnessed a dramatic turn of events this Pongal season, and Sivakarthikeyan has finally shared his thoughts. The actor, whose milestone 25th film Parasakthi released in theatres today, reacted calmly and positively after its much-anticipated box office clash with Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan was unexpectedly averted.
Initially, the festive weekend was expected to be a high-voltage face-off between the two stars. Sivakarthikeyan had even described the situation as an “Annan Thambi Pongal,” urging audiences to celebrate the festival by watching both films. However, the sudden delay in Jana Nayagan’s release changed things entirely.
Sivakarthikeyan On Jana Nayagan Delay And Competition With It
Speaking during a casual media interaction in Chennai on Friday, Sivakarthikeyan admitted that the postponement came as a surprise. He said, “This was very unexpected. No one thought the film would get postponed. I wished for the audience to watch both the films. There have been a lot of unexpected developments and updates over the last 15 days. We were learning new things every day.”
The actor also opened up about the uncertainty surrounding Parasakthi’s own release, especially due to certification delays. He explained, “Even yesterday when I was in Trichy at the promotional event for the film, we knew we still didn’t have the censor certificate, but we kept doing our work. Today, we know that Parasakthi will be releasing on January 10.”
Importantly, Sivakarthikeyan made it clear that competition has never been his driving force. He remarked, “I don’t like to compete with anyone – there is a lot of space for everyone in this film industry. If I wanted to compete, I’d have become an athlete or a boxer.”
Parasakthi Actor On Online Negativity, Career Choices And More
Addressing online negativity and controversies, the actor said, “I prefer to focus on my work. Anonymous people talk on social media, and I am only answerable to people I know personally. Nowadays, I spend more time with family and close friends. I am very happy. If I log onto social media, it looks like everyone including President Trump is criticising us.”
Sivakarthikeyan’s career choices have also sparked discussion. While veterans like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan are increasingly making films aimed at Gen Z audiences, Sivakarthikeyan has opted for a serious period political drama with Parasakthi. Explaining his approach, he said, “I want to explore all genres in my career. Kamal Haasan has acted in more than 230 films, and Rajinikanth is doing his 173rd film. I don’t think I’ll be able to do so many films in my career. I want to do the best films I can and as many genres as possible.”
On the controversies surrounding the CBFC, the actor maintained a balanced view. He concluded by saying, “As for the controversies around the CBFC, everyone has a different point of view and their own perceptions. Maybe we should send films for certification much more in advance.”
About Parasakthi, Jana Nayagan Delay
Directed by Sudha Kongara, Parasakthi is set in 1965 Madras against the backdrop of the anti-Hindi imposition agitations. The film follows Chezhiyan, a peaceful railway employee whose life changes when his brother becomes deeply involved in student protests, triggering a tense political and personal conflict. The film features Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa, and Sreeleela in her Tamil debut, with music by G. V. Prakash Kumar.
Meanwhile, Jana Nayagan, starring Thalapathy Vijay, remains in limbo due to an ongoing legal battle with the CBFC. Although a single judge initially ordered the issuance of a U/A 16+ certificate, the decision was stayed by a division bench hours later. With the next hearing scheduled for January 21, 2026, the film has missed its Pongal release, leaving fans awaiting clarity.
