Latest buzz doing the rounds is that Rajinikanth's "Kochadaiiyaan", which was initially slated to release in January 2014, might back out of the Pongal race and get scheduled to a different date.

Fans were expecting fireworks at the box office during Pongal as the makers of three biggies - Vijay's "Jilla", Ajith's "Veeram" and Rajinikanth's "Kochadaiiyaan" - had planned to release their films around the festival period in January. But it seems like "Kochadaiiyaan" might not hit screens on the expected date, since the other two films have officially confirmed their release dates during the festival period.

The producers of "Kochadaiiyaan", Eros International and Media One Global Entertainment, might want to release their film on a different date to get a solo worldwide release, reported The Times of India.

Directed by Soundarya Rajinikanth Ashwin, "Kochadaiiyaan" is deemed as India's first 3D film using motion capturing techniques. Speculations about the film's release date have been doing the rounds ever since the Rajini starrer went on floors. It was earlier reported that the film will hit screens for Diwali this year. Later, it was revealed that the epic drama would release on 12 December, which happens to be Rajinikanth's birthday.

Recently, one of the film's co-producers announced that the music launch of "Kochadaiiyaan" will take place on 12 December, whereas the film will hit the screens on 10 January 2014. An official announcement of the exact release date is expected on the eve of the audio launch.

"Kochadaiiyaan" has an ensemble star cast including Rajinikanth, Deepika Padukone, Jackie Shroff, Nassar, Shobana and Sarath Kumar among others. The film's music is composed by AR Rahman.

Veeram

The film is officially confirmed to release for Pongal.

Release Date: Expected to be on 10 January

Audio Launch: Expected on 7 December

Music : Devi Sri Prasad

Director: "Siruthai" Siva

Star Cast: Ajith, Tamannah, Nassar, Santhanam, Vidharth, Bala and Munish among others

JIlla

The makers confirmed that the film will hit the screens during the festival period in January

Release Date: Not known

Audio Launch: Expected on 15 December

Music : D. Imman

Director: Debutant RT Nesan

Star Cast: Vijay, Kajal Aggarwal, Mohanlal, Poornima Bhagyaraj and Mahat Raghavendra among others

An official confirmation on the exact release and audio launch dates of "Jilla" and "Veeram" is still awaited.