Pichaikkaran 3 confirmed with Vijay Antony, Ananda Krishnan to direct
Synopsis
The cult Tamil franchise Pichaikkaran is getting a third chapter — and this time, Vijay Antony is handing the director's chair to Ananda Krishnan of Kodiyil Oruvan fame. With an Ayudha Pooja release targeted and the shadow of Pichaikkaran 2's underperformance looming, the stakes for this comeback are unusually high.
Key Takeaways
Pichaikkaran 3 was officially announced on 11 November 2026 at the pre-release event of Appa Kutty in Chennai .
Vijay Antony returns in the lead role as actor, producer, and music director.
Director Ananda Krishnan , known for Kodiyil Oruvan , will helm the third instalment — his second collaboration with Vijay Antony.
The team is targeting an Ayudha Pooja release next year.
The original Pichaikkaran , directed by Sasi, was remade in four languages : Telugu, Odia, Marathi, and Kannada.
Pichaikkaran 2 – Anti Bikili , directed by Vijay Antony himself, did not match the original's success.
Tamil actor, producer, and music director Vijay Antony has confirmed that Pichaikkaran 3, the third instalment of the blockbuster franchise, is officially in the works, with director Ananda Krishnan at the helm. The announcement was made on 11 November 2026 at the pre-release event of Vijay Antony's upcoming film Appa Kutty, directed by Mu Maran, in Chennai.
The Announcement
Vijay Antony revealed at the event that production on Pichaikkaran 3 is already under way. 'Work on Pichaikkaran 3 is progressing swiftly, and we are hoping for an Ayudha Pooja release next year,' he said. Ananda Krishnan, best known for directing the Tamil action entertainer Kodiyil Oruvan, also addressed the gathering, explaining how the collaboration came together.
'Pichaikkaran 3 will be my second film with Vijay Antony, following Kodiyil Oruvan. He first approached me when I was working on 'Metro', expressing an interest in collaborating. We have been discussing projects since then, and we are now working on Pichaikkaran 3,' Ananda Krishnan said.
The Legacy of Pichaikkaran
The original Pichaikkaran, directed by Sasi, became both a commercial blockbuster and a cult classic in Tamil cinema. Its story — centred on a wealthy businessman who takes a vow to live as a beggar for 48 days in order to save his mother's life — was inspired by a real-life incident. The film resonated with audiences well beyond Tamil Nadu and was remade in four other languages: Telugu (as Bichagadu), Odia (as Baby), Marathi (as Bhikari), and Kannada (as Amma I Love You).
The Second Part and What Changed
Vijay Antony himself stepped into the director's chair for the second instalment, Pichaikkaran 2 – Anti Bikili, but the film did not replicate the success of the original. With the third part, the franchise brings in an experienced outside director — a strategic shift that will be closely watched by industry observers.
What to Expect Next
The Ayudha Pooja release window targeted by the team typically falls in October, giving the production roughly a year to complete principal photography and post-production. Given the franchise's pan-India appeal and the cult following of the original, expectations among Tamil cinema fans are already high. Whether Ananda Krishnan's action-oriented sensibility — evident in Kodiyil Oruvan — translates well to the emotionally driven Pichaikkaran template remains a question the film will ultimately answer.
Point of View
But the sequel showed the limits of a star directing himself in a franchise built on restrained emotional storytelling. Ananda Krishnan's action-first instincts are a gamble: the original worked because of its spiritual and human core, not spectacle. The real question is whether the third film rediscovers that soul or simply escalates the scale. An Ayudha Pooja slot also means it will compete in a crowded festive corridor, raising the commercial pressure further.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is directing Pichaikkaran 3?
Pichaikkaran 3 will be directed by Ananda Krishnan, best known for the Tamil action entertainer Kodiyil Oruvan. This marks his second collaboration with Vijay Antony, who leads the film as actor, producer, and music director.
When is Pichaikkaran 3 expected to release?
The team is targeting an Ayudha Pooja release, which typically falls in October. Vijay Antony confirmed at the announcement event that production is 'progressing swiftly.'
What is the story of the original Pichaikkaran?
The original Pichaikkaran, directed by Sasi, follows a wealthy businessman who vows to live as a beggar for 48 days to save his mother's life. Based on a real-life incident, the film became a blockbuster and cult classic and was remade in Telugu, Odia, Marathi, and Kannada.
How did Pichaikkaran 2 perform?
Pichaikkaran 2 – Anti Bikili, directed by Vijay Antony himself, was not as successful as the original. The underperformance is widely seen as a factor in the decision to bring in an external director for the third instalment.
Where was Pichaikkaran 3 announced?
The announcement was made on 11 November 2026 at the pre-release event of Appa Kutty, Vijay Antony's upcoming film directed by Mu Maran, held in Chennai.
