Tamil watchlist: Four major films releasing for Pongal in January 2024

Sources disclosed that the story of the period drama is set in the 1930s and 40s.

Produced by one of Tamil cinema’s respected production houses —Sathya Jyothi Films, Captain Miller was originally supposed to be released on 15 December 2023.

However, the unit chose to take more time to ensure that the making was flawless and pushed the release date to the Pongal weekend.

Produced by Sendhil Thyagarajan and Arjun Thyagarajan and presented by TG Thyagarajan of Sathya Jyothi Films, Captain Miller features Priyanka Arul Mohan as the female lead.

It also features Kannada star Dr Shivarajkumar and Telugu actor Sundeep Kishan in pivotal roles.

Lyca Productions acquired the overseas theatrical distribution rights of the film.

The music is by G V Prakash and the cinematography is by Siddhartha Nuni.

Captain Miller will be released simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi.

Captain Miller second single promo pic.twitter.com/9bBHvSt52t

— Dhanush (@dhanushkraja) December 22, 2023

Ayalaan

Director R Ravikumar’s much-awaited sci-fi entertainer Ayalaan, featuring Sivakarthikeyan and Rakul Preet Singh in the lead, will finally hit the theatres for the Pongal weekend in January 2024.

The film, which has been in the making for some time now, is produced by 24 AM Studios and has music by Mozart of Madras AR Rahman.

The science-fiction movie, “which promises to take you on a thrilling ride to space” is about what happens when an extraterrestrial comes down to earth.

With R Ravikumar’s earlier sci-fi film Netru Indru Naalai (2015) also proving to be a hit, expectations from Ayalaan are high.

It features Karunakaran, Yogi Babu, Sharad Kelkar, Isha Koppikar, David Broughton-Davies, Banupriya, Balasaravanan, Kothandam, and Rahul Madhav.

Nirav Shah is the cinematographer.

Here’s the Telugu version of #AyalaaAyalaa song from our #Ayalaan – https://t.co/q8gi6xL5Ed

🎶 @arrahman sir
✍🏻 #SaraswathiputhraRamajogayyaSastry
🎤 @anuragkulkarni_, @sanjheg #AyalaanFromSankranti@Ravikumar_Dir @Rakulpreet @TheAyalaan @ishakonnects @SharadK7 @nirav_dop…

— Sivakarthikeyan (@Siva_Kartikeyan) December 20, 2023

Related: Sivakarthikeyan, Rakul Preet Singh starring fantasy movie ‘Ayalaan’ 

Lal Salaam

Director Aishwarya Rajinikanth’s Lal Salaam, which will feature her father Superstar Rajinikanth in a cameo, is another eagerly awaited film that is again scheduled for release in January 2024.

Rajinikanth plays the character of Moideen Bhai in Lal Salaam, which talks about tensions between members belonging to two religions.

The Tamil film features Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth in the lead. Both play cricketers in the film.

Interestingly, both actors are fantastic cricketers in real life too and their performance as sportsmen belonging to two different religions in the film has raised expectations.

The film has music by AR Rahman and cinematography by Vishnu Rangasamy.

With the divine grace of Muthumaari Amman ..first single of #lalsalaam with positivity to all 🙏🏼😇✨ https://t.co/Ki7xQ0JvGO pic.twitter.com/jWtwPOl7YU

— Aishwarya Rajinikanth (@ash_rajinikanth) December 18, 2023

Related: Vishnu Vishal posts a pic with Rajini on ‘Lal Salaam’ sets

Aranmanai 4

The fourth instalment in director Sundar C’s popular horror franchise, Aranmanai (2014, 2016, and 2021) will hit the marquee for Pongal.

Considering that the first three parts of the franchise have done exceedingly well, the expectations from this instalment too are quite high from fans.

Aranmanai 4 will feature along with Sundar C, actors Tamannaah, Raashi Khanna, Yogi Babu, Kovai Sarala, Singam Puli, V TV Ganesh, Delhi Ganesh and KGF Ram among others.

The music is by Hiphop Tamizha and the cinematography is by Isakki Krishnasamy.