Jiiva's 'Thagappan' set for December 24 Christmas release
Synopsis
Jiiva's family drama 'Thagappan' is heading to cinemas on 24 December, staking a claim on the Christmas box-office window. Directed by Ra. Venkat and set in Madurai, the father-son emotional drama wrapped shooting in August and has already generated strong word from the sets — with on-location onlookers reportedly moved to tears.
Key Takeaways
Jiiva 's Tamil film 'Thagappan' , directed by Ra.
Venkat , will release on 24 December 2026 for the Christmas holiday window.
The announcement was confirmed by Jiiva on X and production house Lark Studios on 23 October 2026 .
The film is set in Madurai and centres on the emotional bond between a father and son.
Principal photography wrapped in August 2026 ; Rajisha Vijayan plays the female lead.
Music is by Marshall Robinson , cinematography by M Sukumar , and editing by Nagooran Ramachandran .
Actor Jiiva's much-anticipated Tamil family entertainer 'Thagappan', directed by Ra. Venkat, is officially headed to cinemas on 24 December 2026, targeting the Christmas holiday window. The announcement was made on Friday, 23 October by the film's makers, Lark Studios.
Official Announcement
Jiiva confirmed the release date himself via a post on X, writing: “தையும் எதிர்ப்பான…தகப்பன். #Thagappan is all set to hit the big screens on December 24! #XMassThagappan.” The production house, Lark Studios, had earlier signalled a December 2026 theatrical release when principal photography wrapped up in August 2026, posting: ‘Every frame holds a feeling. Every moment carries a memory. #Thagappan Shooting Wrapped! The emotions begin soon in theatres.’
Story and Setting
Set against the backdrop of Madurai, the film reportedly revolves around the bond between a father and his son, weaving in themes of family relationships and human values. According to sources, several onlookers who witnessed the filming of crucial scenes were reportedly so moved that they walked up to congratulate the cast and crew on the spot — an early signal of the film's emotional pull.
Cast and Crew
Rajisha Vijayan plays the female lead opposite Jiiva. The film's music has been composed by Marshall Robinson, while cinematography is handled by M Sukumar and editing by Nagooran Ramachandran. K B Nandhabalan is the art director, stunt choreography is by Mahesh Mathew, and costumes have been designed by Rithesh Selvaraj. P Balakumar serves as executive producer.
Build-Up and Fan Response
The film's first look poster, released by Lark Studios earlier, was received warmly by fans and film enthusiasts. The production house captioned it: ‘Everything is fair in a father’s love. Presenting the world #Thagappan!’ The complete shoot in a single, uninterrupted schedule has also drawn attention, with the team completing all sequences without a break — a disciplined production approach that bodes well for post-production timelines.
What to Watch
With the Christmas release slot now confirmed, 'Thagappan' will compete in a traditionally high-footfall festive window for Tamil cinema. Audiences can expect a trailer and further promotional material in the weeks ahead as the 24 December date approaches.
Point of View
And a father-son emotional drama is well-suited to the family-first holiday audience. Jiiva has been building toward a commercial breakthrough after a series of mid-range outings, and the Madurai setting with its mass-audience appeal could be the differentiator. The real test will be the trailer's reception: if the emotional hook lands early, 'Thagappan' could punch above its production weight in a crowded December slate.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Jiiva's 'Thagappan' releasing in cinemas?
'Thagappan' is set to release on 24 December 2026, targeting the Christmas holiday audience. The date was confirmed by actor Jiiva on X and production house Lark Studios on 23 October 2026.
What is 'Thagappan' about?
The film is a family entertainer set against a Madurai backdrop, reportedly revolving around the emotional bond between a father and his son. It aims to highlight family relationships and human values.
Who is in the cast and crew of 'Thagappan'?
Jiiva plays the lead role, with Rajisha Vijayan as the female lead. The film is directed by Ra. Venkat, with music by Marshall Robinson, cinematography by M Sukumar, and editing by Nagooran Ramachandran.
Has the shooting of 'Thagappan' been completed?
Yes, principal photography for 'Thagappan' was fully wrapped in August 2026. The production was completed in a single, uninterrupted schedule, and the makers shared a wrap video with the entire unit.
Who is producing 'Thagappan'?
'Thagappan' is produced by Lark Studios, with P Balakumar serving as executive producer.
