Tamil star Dhanush has officially postponed his upcoming film Om: Chapter 1. The film was scheduled to arrive in theatres on October 16, 2026, just one day after Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2. Dhanush shared the news on X on September 23, 2026, saying the decision was made out of respect for Rajinikanth and to avoid a crowded festive season.
The actor also confirmed that Om will not move to the Diwali window either. Suriya’s film Scene is already set for release on November 6, 2026, during the festival.
Why Dhanush Moved the Release Date
Dhanush’s statement explained the team faced challenges while deciding on a release date. He wrote:
“In times like these, shifting the release of a film comes with its own set of challenges. Our superstar, Rajinikanth sir, the man whom we have all admired and worshipped over the years has his film arriving on October 15th, just a day before ours. Out of immense respect for him, we have decided to postpone the release of our film, OM, to a later date.”
About the Diwali window, he added:
“At the same time, we will not be arriving for Diwali this year either, as Suriya sir’s film has already been announced for the same date. In all fairness, they announced their date first, and we strongly believe that big films should have a mutual understanding and respect each other’s decisions, keeping the larger welfare of cinema and the industry in mind.”
Dhanush closed the note by saying a new release date will be announced soon.
What This Means for the October Box Office
The October 15-16 weekend was set to see two of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars go head-to-head. Jailer 2 brings back Rajinikanth and director Nelson Dilipkumar after the 2023 hit Jailer. Om: Chapter 1 teams Dhanush with director Rajkumar Periasamy, who won a National Award for Amaran.
The move also avoids a rare face-off between Malayalam superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal at the Tamil box office. Mammootty plays a key role in Om, while Mohanlal is part of Jailer 2.
About Om: Chapter 1
Om: Chapter 1: Udhiram – The Blood Wood is Dhanush’s 55th film as a lead actor. The film stars Mammootty, Sai Pallavi, Sreeleela, Naseeruddin Shah, and Indrans.
Naseeruddin Shah returns to Tamil cinema after 26 years. His last Tamil film was Hey Ram in 2000. Mammootty is back in Tamil cinema after 2019’s Peranbu.
Rajkumar Periasamy directs the film, with music by Sai Abhyankkar. Ezhil Arasu K handles cinematography, and R Kalaivanan is the editor. Shraddha Agarwal, Dhanush, and Azmat Jagmag produce under Wunderbar Films and RTake Studios.
The film’s title teaser showed Dhanush as a woodcutter involved in the illegal red sanders trade. The tagline “Chapter 1” suggests a multi-part franchise.
The project was announced in November 2024 as D55. It was originally set for a worldwide theatrical release on October 16, 2026, in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi.
Suriya’s Scene Takes the Diwali Slot
Suriya’s Scene, directed by Jithu Madhavan, releases on November 6, 2026. The film marks Jithu Madhavan’s Tamil debut after Romancham and Aavesham. Suriya plays DSP Inbaraj, a rebellious police officer. The cast includes Nazriya Nazim, Naslen, Anandraj, and Lal. Sushin Shyam composes the music.
Suriya’s film was announced for Diwali first, which is why Dhanush said his team respected that date.
Jailer 2 Stays on Track
Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 releases worldwide on October 15, 2026. Sun Pictures confirmed the date with a new poster in early September, ending rumors of a delay. The film is directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, and Jackie Shroff are part of the cast. Anirudh Ravichander scores the music.
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Dhanush’s Recent Awards
The postponement news comes after Dhanush’s recent wins at the 72nd National Film Awards. He received a Special Mention for his performance in Captain Miller and won Best Tamil Film for his directorial Raayan.
Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more Tamil cinema release updates and box office news as new dates are confirmed.
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