After numerous delays, the Karthi and Krithi Shetty starrer, "Vaa Vaathiyaar," is finally set to grace the screens on January 14, 2026, coinciding with the Pongal festival. This announcement comes after a tumultuous period for the film, which faced multiple postponements due to financial constraints and legal hurdles.
Originally slated for release on December 12, 2025, "Vaa Vaathiyaar" encountered setbacks when the Madras High Court issued a stay order due to pending dues owed by the producer, K. E. Gnanavel Raja of Studio Green, to an investor. The production house reportedly owed ₹21,78,50,000. Attempts to resolve the matter and release the film on December 24, coinciding with the death anniversary of late Chief Minister and actor M. G. Ramachandran, were also unsuccessful. Studio Green even approached the Supreme Court, but the ban on the film's release was upheld.
However, recent reports indicate that the judicial authorities have allowed the rights of the movie to be auctioned off to cover the producer's debt, paving the way for its release. The makers officially announced the new release date on January 10, 2026, much to the relief of fans.
"Vaa Vaathiyaar" is directed by Nalan Kumarasamy, known for his previous works such as "Soodhu Kavvum" (2013) and "Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum" (2016). The film is touted as an action-comedy entertainer, with Karthi playing DSP Rameshwaran, a police officer who lives a life contrary to the values of his grandfather and the ideals of MGR, instilled in him by his father, played by Rajkiran. The narrative involves a high-level political conspiracy that the character gets drawn into, and he ultimately takes a stand for justice.
The film boasts a stellar cast, including Krithi Shetty as the female lead, along with Sathyaraj, Anandaraj, Shilpa Manjunath, Karunakaran, G. M. Sundar, and Ramesh Thilak in pivotal roles. Santhosh Narayanan has composed the music for the film, with George C. Williams handling the cinematography and Vetre Krishnan taking care of the editing.
Krithi Shetty shared her experience working with Karthi, expressing her admiration for him since his film "Paiyya." She described him as humble and supportive, providing ample space for his co-actors.
The trailer of "Vaa Vaathiyaar" has already generated buzz, promising a full-fledged comedy with fantasy elements. The film has also cleared censorship formalities and received a U/A certificate from the CBFC.
While "Vaa Vaathiyaar" is gearing up for its Pongal release, there is also a Telugu dubbed version of the movie titled "Annagaru Vostaru." However, it remains uncertain whether the Telugu version will be released simultaneously, considering the number of Telugu films already lined up for release.
With Vijay's "Jana Nayagan" potentially out of the Pongal race due to censor-related legal issues, and Sivakarthikeyan's "Parasakthi" already in theaters, "Vaa Vaathiyaar" is strategically positioned to capitalize on the festive holiday. This film marks the first collaboration between Karthi and director Nalan Kumarasamy.
