Sankranthi 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most cutthroat, jam-packed, screen-starved festival seasons telugu states have seen in years. With five homegrown telugu heavyweights locking their dates and sealing their theatrical deals, the battlefield is already overflowing. And now, two major tamil stars — Vijay and Sivakarthikeyan — are attempting to break into an already bursting lineup.

The big question hanging over the industry:
Will tamil films get ANY breathing space… or be completely steamrolled?

Let’s break this fiery scenario down.

1. FIVE telugu Releases Have Already Seized the Sankranthi Territory

The lineup is massive and merciless:

• • raja Saab

• • Mana Shankara Vara prasad Garu

• • Bhartha Mahasayulaku Vignyapthi

• • Anaganaga Oka Raju

• • Naari Naari Naduma Murari

• 
  

Every one of them has closed deals, blocked theatres, and locked their strongholds.
This means: Screens are already 90% spoken for.

2. Early Releases Give raja Saab & MSVPG a Ruthless Advantage

Since these two films arrive earlier, they muscle into key theatres ahead of everyone else.
Once they occupy primary centres, they won’t vacate easily — especially if word-of-mouth is strong.
That leaves crumbs for late entrants.

3. Vijay’s Jana Nayagan Faces an Uphill Climb Despite Being His LAST Film

Vijay’s final film should ideally command massive attention — but Sankranthi in telugu states is a different beast.

To make matters more intense:
Jana Nayagan is a remake of Balakrishna’s Bhagavanth Kesari, making telugu buyers cautious.
Emotionally huge for fans, but commercially risky in crowded markets.

4. Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi Has Buzz — But Not Enough Screens

SK’s last outing, Amaran, performed well in telugu states, giving him momentum.
Plus, this film is directed by Sudha Kongara, a massively respected filmmaker with cross-regional appeal.

However…
With five telugu films wall-to-wall, even strong buzz may not translate to adequate screen count.

5. Makers Want Simultaneous Release — But Reality Says Otherwise

Both tamil films plan to release simultaneously in tamil & Telugu.

But with the telugu gridlocked, they may be forced to:

• delay the telugu version,

• go for a limited release, or

• wait for post-Sankranthi openings.

• 
  

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  Right now, nothing is guaranteed.

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6. telugu States Are Prioritising local Films — Not Unusual for festival Seasons

Sankranthi is traditionally a Telugu-dominated season.
With five native films lining up, exhibitors will back local stars first.
This leaves tamil biggies with almost no leverage, unless a surprise reshuffle happens.

7. The Final Call Will Only Come in Late December

Both Jana Nayagan and Parasakthi teams are waiting for:

• screen confirmations

• exhibitors’ negotiations

• possible date reshuffles

• festival-week strategy shifts

• 
  

A clear decision is expected only in the last week of December, when the dust settles.

8. So… Will tamil Films Get Space?

Short answer:
👉 Highly unlikely.

Unless a telugu film moves, underperforms, or voluntarily shifts, tamil films may get minimal screens or postponed telugu releases.