Jiiva’s ‘Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil’ Set for Grand Pongal Release: Team Shares Joy at Pre-Release Event
The pre-release event for the highly anticipated film ‘Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil’, starring the versatile actor Jiiva in the lead role, was held with great fanfare in Chennai. Produced by Kannan Ravi under the banner of the Kannan Ravi Group, and co-produced by Deepak Ravi, the film promises to be a wholesome family entertainer.
Directed by Nithish Sahadev, the movie features a stellar ensemble cast including Thambi Ramaiah, Ilavarasu, Prarthana Nathan, Jaivant, Jenson Diwakar, Manimegalai, and social media sensations like Sarjin Kumar and Subhash Kannan. With cinematography by Bablu Aju and music composed by the talented Vishnu Vijay, the film is generating significant buzz as a “feel-good” entertainer.
A Surprise Pongal Gift for Fans
The biggest announcement of the evening was the change in the film’s release date. Originally scheduled for January 30, the team confirmed that ‘Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil’ will now grace theaters worldwide on January 15, coinciding with the auspicious festival of Pongal.
Speaking at the event, Co-producer Muthukumaran highlighted the team’s dedication. “The film was initially slated for a month-end release, but we are thrilled to bring it to the audience on Thai Thirunal (Pongal). We started pre-production on Tamil New Year’s Day in April, and now we are releasing it on another great festival,” he said.
He further praised the lead actor’s discipline, stating, “If the first shot was at 7:00 AM, Jiiva would be ready on set by 6:55 AM. The entire shoot was wrapped up in just 45 days, thanks to the unity of the cast and the blessings of the Rain God. The film has come out exceptionally well.”
The “Time for Twist” and Production Value
Actor Jaivant expressed his excitement about the advanced release date using a clever play on words. “TTT can be interpreted as ‘The Time for Twist’. It is a joy for any artist to have their film released during a festival. I believe this film will mark a successful start to the year for all the technicians and actors involved,” he remarked.
He described the film as a humorous, feel-good entertainer, noting that Jiiva kept the energy high on the sets throughout the 45-day schedule. “This is the first family entertainer of the year, and I request everyone to watch it in theaters,” Jaivant added.
Emotional Connections and Debut Memories
Lead actress Prarthana Nathan shared her sentimental attachment to the project. “For me, the year 2025 is filled with memories of this movie. We stayed in a beautiful location near the Western Ghats for the shoot. When it ended, I felt a deep sadness leaving this ‘family’. I play a character named Sowmya, a bride, and the film captures the emotional rollercoaster of the day before a wedding,” she explained, thanking the director and producer for the strong role.
Thambi Ramaiah’s High Praise for Jiiva
Veteran actor Thambi Ramaiah, known for his character roles, delivered a heartfelt speech emphasizing the film’s quality. “This film has received a clean ‘U’ certificate, making it eligible for the entire family to watch together. I am happy to have played a part in it,” he said.
Ramaiah revealed that he had been selective about his roles recently but agreed to this project immediately after hearing Director Nithish’s narration. He compared the director’s style to legends like Fazil and the Siddique-Lal duo.
He reserved his highest praise for Jiiva: “Despite being the son of a legendary producer and a successful star himself, Jiiva approached this script from a producer’s perspective. He accepted the role knowing the story drives the film, not just heroism. If all heroes had this mindset, the number of successful films would increase. Jiiva will emerge as a hero who gives confidence to producers in 2026.”
Jiiva on the Making of the Movie
Addressing the gathering, Jiiva described the film as “magic.” He recounted how the project materialized. “My friend and actor VTV Ganesh told me about the Malayalam film ‘Falimy’ in April. Later, the director approached me with a story about a problem between two neighboring families and how a mediator solves it. I loved the narration and agreed immediately,” Jiiva shared.
Jiiva also spoke about his contribution to the technical crew, specifically suggesting Vishnu Vijay for the music after being impressed by his previous work.
“We shot in Cumbum and erected sets there. A water tank plays a character in this movie! Although planned on a small budget, the producer ensured it was made lavishly. This is my 45th film, and I worked with 46 actors, many of whom are YouTube stars with their own fan followings. There is so much young energy in this film,” Jiiva said enthusiastically.
Solidarity with Actor Vijay
In a significant moment, Jiiva addressed the delay of Actor Vijay’s film, referred to as Jananyagan in the context of the event. “We are sad that Jananyagan did not release as planned, but we are waiting for it eagerly. Actor Vijay has been a huge support to many producers and technicians. Our production house, Super Good Films, has produced several films with him over the last 30 years. Our support is always with him,” Jiiva stated, showing camaraderie within the industry.
The event concluded with the team expressing confidence that ‘Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil’ will be a massive hit. With a unique narrative, a “fresh treatment,” and a mix of seasoned actors and new-age digital stars, the film is poised to entertain audiences across India starting January 15.