With only a week to go, major Pongal releases like "Rajini Murugan", "Gethu", "Kathakali" and "Tharappattai" have received their censor scertificates, paving the way for their full-fledged promotions and release.

The audience is not going to witness any A-list star's film this Pongal, unlike other years. The biggest of the aforementioned four films is "Rajini Murugan".

Rajini Murugan takes on Gethu, Kathakali, Tharai Thappattai
Rajini Murugan takes on Gethu, Kathakali, Tharai Thappattai.IB Times India

"Rajini Murugan", which has bagged a "U" certificate, has been delayed for one or the other reason. Even though the film was ready a couple of months ago, the makers had issues while releasing, and getting the required number of screens was the main roadblock.

The Tamil film features Sivakarthikeyan, who has got the status of "fast-growing star", Samuthirakani, Rajkiran, Keerthy Suresh, Kanaka and others. It is a masala entertainer directed by Ponram and produced by N Lingusamy.

Gethu
Producer-turned-actor Udhayanidhi Stalin was not taken seriously by the cine audience as an actor even after he did three films. His earlier films were romantic comedies and became successful for their good stories. To prove he has what it takes to be a good actor, Udhayanidhi Stalin took up "Gethu", a movie that projects him as an action hero.

He has been paired with Amy Jackson in "Gethu", which also has Vikranth, Sathyaraj and others in the cast. Thirukumaran has directed the film produced by Stalin himself. It has bagged a "U" certificate and is releasing on 14 January.

Kathakali
Vishal, who is due for a big hit, is returning with "Kathakali". The movie has been written and directed by Pandiraj, who is basking in the success of "Pasanga 2". Catherine Tresa has played the female lead in the flick, which also has Nassar, Karnuas, Soori, Pawan and others in the cast. It is a complete action entertainer. The regional censor board has given it a "U" certificate, and the film will release on 14 January.

Tharai Thappattai
Maverick filmmaker Bala's "Tharai Thappattai" will be clashing with the biggies. It is an action-packed thrilling entertainer starring Sasikumar and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar. It is also the 1,000th movie of Illayaraaja as a music director. The film will release on 14 January and has bagged an "A" certificate.