Actor Vijay Sethupathi's much-anticipated film 'Pocket Novel', directed by Thiagarajan Kumararaja, is set to release worldwide on 14 January 2027, coinciding with the harvest festival of Pongal. The release date was officially confirmed on Friday, 6 November 2026, through an announcement poster shared by the film's newly-confirmed music director, G V Prakash.

G V Prakash Confirmed as Music Director

The release date announcement also served as the first official confirmation that G V Prakash — who is both a music director and actor — had come on board to score the film's music. His appointment follows the departure of legendary composer Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, who had originally been announced as the music director. Rumours of Ilaiyaraaja's exit began surfacing last month, and were significantly strengthened when his name was conspicuously absent from the list of technicians in the film's wrap-up announcement released on 9 October 2026. While speculation about G V Prakash replacing him had been circulating, the makers only recently gave it their official stamp.

Shoot Wrapped, Film Heads to Post-Production

The 'Pocket Novel' unit completed filming roughly a fortnight before the release date announcement. The makers marked the wrap with a behind-the-scenes video featuring clips from various days on set. With shooting concluded and a firm release date now locked in, the team is expected to be in the final stretch of post-production ahead of the Pongal window.

Malavika Mohanan's Heartfelt Note for the Team

Actress Malavika Mohanan, who plays the female lead in the film, had earlier penned a moving tribute to the cast and crew on her Instagram page upon the film's completion. Reflecting on the experience, she wrote: 'Some films become a little world of their own while you're making them, and I feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of this one.'

She offered warm words for her co-star Vijay Sethupathi, calling him 'the most caring and giving co-actor' and noting that the two had appeared in 'Petta' and 'Master' together previously but never shared screen space — making 'Pocket Novel' their first on-screen pairing. For director Thiagarajan Kumararaja, she reserved particular praise, describing him as having 'such a rare way of looking at people and the world.' She also thanked crew member Ezhil Madhi for being 'the sweetest anchor through it all.'

What to Watch Ahead of Pongal 2027

The Pongal box office window is traditionally one of Tamil cinema's most competitive release slots, with major productions vying for audience attention. 'Pocket Novel' will now enter that arena carrying the weight of considerable anticipation — a celebrated director, a lead actor at the peak of his commercial and critical standing, and a production whose behind-the-scenes notes suggest a deeply personal creative journey. As the 14 January 2027 date approaches, promotional materials and the film's official audio launch are expected to follow in the coming weeks.