Pongal is one of the biggest long festival weekend for Tamil film releases and the filmmakers takes every chance to release their big budget star films to reserve for this festive time.

This time Bhogi, the first day of the four day festival in Tamilnadu falls on Sunday (January 13th) that gives a six day holiday time for audience to throng the theaters to catch their favorite star's film which gives a more tough competition for producers to release their films.

Vishwaroopam

One of the big budget big star film that is scheduled for Pongal release is Kamal Hassan's Vishwaroopam, written, directed and produced by the Ulaganayagan himself with Pooja Kumar and Andrea Jeremiah playing the female leads. Vishwaroopam though is also releasing on DTH for Rs 1000 on the same day as its theatrical release, the movie is still high on demand.

Vishwaroopam is released simultaneously in Telugu and Hindi as well. The film is also the first one to have incorporated the Auro 3D sound format. With Shankar Ehssan Loy's music composition, this spy thriller, made on the budget of Rs 120 crore, is releasing on the 11th of January 2013 (Friday).
Update:Vishwaroopam release date postponed, No DTH release

Alex Pandian

Another Pongal release which is scheduled to release on 12th of January 2013 (Saturday), leaving one day after Vishwaroopam release is Karthi & Anushka Shetty starer Alex Pandian, directed by Suraaj.

This commercial potboiler also stars Santhanam, Nikhita Thukral, Sanusha, Akanksha Puri, Milind Soman, Suman and Prathap Pothen, which has music composition by Devi Sri Prasad.

We hear that Santhanam plays the role of brother to the three girls Nikhita, Sanusha &Akanksha, Suman & Milind Soman are roped in to play negative shaded roles, while Prathap Pothen plays an important character role.
Update: Alex Pandian release date preponed to Jan 11

Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya

Yet another comical outing is aiming at Pongal family festive release. Directed by KS Manikandan, the film's cast include Santhanam, Power Star Srinivasan, Vishakha Singh and Sethu. Produced by Santhanam and Rama Narayanan, the film is distributed by Red Giant Movies. The movie was earlier said to be the modern day take of Bhagyaraj's Idru Poi Naalai Va, but the makers denied these reports.

Simbu and Gautham Menon has done special appearances, while Sethu, VTV Ganesh, Pattimandram Raja, Mayilswamy, Kovai Sarala and Devadarshini are also part of the cast. The film is to release on the 11th of January 2013.

Puthagam

Puthagam staring Arya's brother Sathya and Rakul Preet Singh in the leads is directed by Tv actor Vijay Adiraj, who has turned director for this film. The film also stars Jagapati Babu, Suresh Mysore, Sanjay Bharati, Aishwarya, Vignesh, Rachana Maurya, Crazy Mohan, Manobala, Santhana Bharathi, Thalaivasal Vijay, Delhi Ganesh, Uma Padmanabhan and Suresh.

Produced by S Manjula, under the banner Ram Pictures Private Limited and written by Vijay adiraj and Guhan Sreenivasan (dialogues ) (for dialogues), the film's music is scored by James vasanthan, while cinematography is by J. Laxman Kumar MFI of Vennila Kabadi Kuxhu fame. Interestingly the film has been shot entirely in Sony F65 Camera. The film's art direction has been handled by GK, while editing is taken care by Kevin.

Sanjay Barathi, son of veteran actor/director Santhana Barathi along with Vignesh Vijaykumar of Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Eppadi fame play pivotal roles, while Jagapathi Babu is said to be playing a key role in the movie. This film too is running for the Pongal race release.

Madha Gaja Raja

Sundar C's Madha Gaja Raja, a comedy entertainer which stars Vishal, Varalaxmi and Anjali in the lead is also gearing up for Pongal – January 15th 2013 release.

With Vijay Antony's music and Richard M. Nathan's cinematography, the film is edited by Praveen KL and NB Srikanth and is produced by Gemini Film Circuit.

With Arya and Sadha's special cameo appearance, the film's cats also include Sonu Sood, Santhanam, Nithin Sathya, Sadagoppan Ramesh, Prakash Raj, Manivannan, Gayathri Rao in important roles.

Update: Madha Gaja Raja release postponed, not for Pongal

Samar

Yet another Vishal film is also said to be a Pongal release. Samar staring Vishal, Trisha & Sunaina in the leads which was earlier planning for December 2012 release that got postponed due to some reasons is now targeted for Pongal 2013. However official confirmation of the release date is yet to come.

Moreover two of Vishal's films cannot be at loggerheads and with many films running for Pongal week, the makers might push the film's release further.

This action film which sees Vishal playing a forest officer also stars Jayaprakash, Sampath Raj, Manoj Bajpai, JD Chakravarthy and Rajendran.

Other films that are contemplating on Pongal release include Kallathuppaki, Settai and Vaalu. However Settai and Vaalu's music launch is also yet to take place. So it is less likely to release.

Settai which stars Arya, Hansika Motwani, Anjali, Santhanam, Premgi is the remake of the hit Hindi film Delhi Belly, with Thaman's music score. The film directed by Kannan is produced by UTV. -- Update: moved for summer release.

Vaalu on the other hand stars Simbu, Hansika Motwani and Santhanam, which has music by Thaman, cinematography by Shakthi and editing by TS Suresh. Directed by debutant Vijay Chandar, the film is produced by SS Chakravarthy and will be distributed by Gemini Film Circuit.