Pongal 2026: Pooja Hegde vs Sreeleela

While the Telugu film industry is set for a massive box-office clash with five Telugu films releasing during Sankranthi 2026 (January 9 to 14), the Tamil film industry will witness a high-profile two-film showdown during the Pongal season.

The Pongal 2026 race in Tamil cinema features Thalapathy Vijay’s “Jana Nayagan” and Sivakarthikeyan’s “Parasakthi,” both arriving in theatres with just a day’s gap. With star power and festive advantage on their side, the clash has already generated significant buzz.

Interestingly, the Sankranthi releases in Telugu showcase multiple leading ladies. “The Raja Saab” features three heroines, while “Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu,” “Nari Nari Naduma Murari,” and “Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi” each have two female leads. “Anaganga Oka Roju” has a single leading actress. In contrast, the Tamil Pongal battle boils down to a direct face-off between Pooja Hegde and Sreeleela.

Sreeleela’s debut

Sreeleela stars opposite Sivakarthikeyan in “Parasakthi,” marking her Tamil debut. With this being a crucial film for her entry into Kollywood, the actress is expected to go all out with promotions, hoping for a strong start in a new industry.

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On the other hand, Pooja Hegde pairs up with Thalapathy Vijay in “Jana Nayagan,” her second collaboration with the star after “Beast.” Expectations are sky-high, as “Jana Nayagan” is touted to be Vijay’s final film before his full-fledged political entry. For Pooja Hegde, the film is equally important, as a major success could open more doors in Tamil cinema, especially at a time when her Telugu career has slowed down.

With both actresses banking big on their respective films, Pongal 2026 promises an intriguing star heroine showdown in Tamil cinema. Who will emerge victorious this Pongal: Sreeleela or Pooja Hegde?