Sankranthi 2026 lineup: Which of the 5 films will rule the box office?

The Sankranthi/Pongal 2026 festive season is shaping up as one of the most crowded and competitive in recent years, with six major films , including dubbed titles, locking dates across Telugu and Tamil cinema. Traditionally a period when families make it a ritual to watch at least one film together, Sankranthi is the one window where films of all scales, from mass entertainers to mid-budget comedies, can thrive purely on festive momentum.

The festive lineup kicked off with The Raja Saab on January 9 , starring Prabhas in a horror-fantasy comedy directed by Maruthi. Despite the hype surrounding the actor, the film has not been performing as expected at the box office and has faced trolling on social media for its story and execution. Audiences are largely turning up due to Prabhas’ star power rather than the content itself, with paid premieres on January 8 marking the start of the festive run. However, the film still earned an estimated ₹100 crore worldwide on opening day, showcasing Prabhas’ enduring mass appeal.

Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu , starring Chiranjeevi and Nayanthara , is slated for January 12 . Directed by Anil Ravipudi , the film promises a family entertainer combining comedy and emotions. Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi , starring Ravi Teja , releases on January 13 , positioned as a family comedy-drama attempting to bring vintage Ravi Teja humour and festive emotional beats to appeal to Sankranthi audiences.

Sharwanand’s Nari Nari Naduma Murari joins this competitive slate ahead of the January 15 worldwide release . Its first song, composed by Vishal Chandrashekhar , is not particularly memorable and bears some similarity to Dhanush’s “Luckkanna Mate Nillu” from Raghuvaran B.Tech , failing to excite audiences in the same way. Directed by Ram Abbaraju of Samajavaragamana fame and produced by AK Entertainments and Anil Sunkara, the film blends romance and comedy, featuring Sree Vishnu and veteran actors. The team will host a grand pre-release event and trailer launch on January 11 at 5:30 PM at Atreyapuram High School Ground, Andhra Pradesh, organized by Shreyas Group, with cast members including Sharwanand and Naresh attending.

Anaganaga Oka Raju , starring Naveen Polishetty , hits screens on January 14 . The trailer highlights the film’s comedy, with Naveen’s signature style and timing clearly on display. His familiar humour and screen presence dominate the teaser, creating a lot of pre-release buzz among audiences and promising a festival entertainer that balances youth-oriented comedy with family-friendly moments.

While the festive lineup offers scale and star power, several releases have faced last-minute hurdles. Trailer rollouts for Sharwanand’s, Ravi Teja’s, and Naveen Polishetty’s films were delayed, potentially affecting pre-release buzz. Dubbed releases such as Parasakthi also face promotional uncertainty, raising questions about simultaneous Telugu releases.

With cinema now firmly in the pan-India space, Sankranthi is no longer just about star power. Strong content and word-of-mouth remain decisive, and smaller films can emerge as festival winners if they resonate with audiences. The 2026 festive slate, spanning horror-fantasy, family comedies, and romance, offers viewers multiple choices, making this Sankranthi a truly competitive and entertainment-packed season.