Vijay’s Pongal releases: A festival of blockbusters – F’day Spl. Article by Naveen
Vijay’s Pongal releases have always been a festival within a festival for fans. Whether it’s action-packed mass entertainers like Pokkiri and Jilla or emotional dramas like Varisu and Kavalan, his films bring the perfect mix of excitement and entertainment. The combination of festive fervor, family audiences, and Vijay’s star power ensures that his Pongal films are box office gold.
With each Pongal release, Vijay continues to set new records and create unforgettable cinematic moments.
As fans eagerly await his upcoming projects, one thing is certain—a Vijay film during Pongal is always a reason to celebrate!
Let us take a look at some of Vijay’s most notable Pongal releases and how they fared among audiences.
1. ‘Pokkiri’ (2007):
Directed by Prabhu Deva, ‘Pokkiri’ was a massive Pongal blockbuster that redefined Vijay’s action-hero image. With punch dialogues, electrifying action sequences, and Asin’s charming presence, the film was an instant hit. The movie’s famous dialogue, “Oru thadava mudivu panniten na, en pecha naaney kekka maaten,” became an iconic catchphrase. The film ran for over 200 days and remains one of Vijay’s biggest hits.
2. ‘Kavalan’ (2011):
After a series of action-packed films, Vijay surprised fans with ‘Kavalan’, a soft, romantic drama directed by Siddique. This Pongal release was a remake of the Malayalam film ‘Bodyguard’ and showed Vijay in a refreshing new avatar. Though it faced some initial struggles at the box office due to political interference, the film eventually won hearts, especially for its emotional climax and Vadivelu’s comedy.
3.’ Jilla’ (2014):
In ‘Jilla’, Vijay teamed up with Mohanlal, making it one of the most anticipated Pongal releases of 2014. The film, directed by R.T. Neason, had all the elements of a perfect festive treat—mass moments, emotional depth, and a gripping storyline. The Vijay-Mohanlal combination was a major highlight, and the film did well at the box office despite competing with Ajith’s ‘Veeram’.
4. ‘Bairavaa’ (2017):
Directed by Bharathan, ‘Bairavaa’ was Vijay’s official Pongal 2017 release. The film, featuring Keerthy Suresh as the female lead, was a typical mass-action entertainer with powerful fight sequences and catchy songs like “Varlaam Varlaam Vaa”. Despite mixed reviews, the movie performed well commercially, proving that Vijay’s festival releases never fail to pull crowds.
5. ‘Master’ (2021):
‘Master’, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, was a special Pongal release as it marked the first major theatrical release after the COVID-19 lockdown. The film featured Vijay in a new, rugged avatar and had a gripping showdown between Thalapathy and Vijay Sethupathi. The movie was a massive success, reviving the Tamil film industry and becoming one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of the year.
