Released on 10 January 2026 during the Pongal weekend, the Tamil film Parasakthi is a historical political action drama based on the 1965 anti-Hindi imposition movement. Directed by Sudha Kongara, the film tells the story of two brothers who rise to protect Tamil identity and self-respect. While the film is bold and ambitious in intent, its execution remains uneven, resulting in a mixed overall impact.
Story Summary
Set in the Madras State (present-day Tamil Nadu), the story follows Chezhiyan (Sivakarthikeyan), an idealistic young man who actively joins the movement against making Hindi the official language. His younger brother, Chinnadurai (Atharva), is initially carefree and detached from politics, but gradually awakens to the reality of injustice around him.
Together, the brothers fight for Tamil pride, dignity, and cultural identity. However, while the core conflict is powerful, the romantic subplot and the villain arc feel underdeveloped and fail to add real emotional weight to the narrative.
Also Read-: Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu Movie Review
Performances
- Sivakarthikeyan: As Chezhiyan, he delivers a high-energy and intense performance. His screen presence shines, especially in the interval block and emotionally charged scenes.
- Atharva: Strong as the rebellious younger brother. His character arc and transformation are convincing and impactful.
- Ravi Mohan: Effective as a ruthless intelligence agent, adding tension and menace whenever he appears on screen.
- Sreeleela: Makes a decent Tamil debut as Ratnamala, but the love track itself feels weak and unnecessary.
- Cameo Appearances: Rana Daggubati and Basil Joseph leave a solid impression. Guru Somasundaram stands out in his portrayal of M. Karunanidhi.
Technical Aspects
G. V. Prakash Kumar’s music is a major strength, with songs like Adi Alaiye, Ratnamala, and Senai Kottam enhancing the film’s emotional and political tone. Ravi K. Chandran’s cinematography beautifully captures the period setting, and the production design is rich and authentic.
However, the editing feels abrupt at places, and the second half tends to drag. The dialogues are revolutionary and powerful in spirit, but the attempts at humour fall flat.
Highlights and Drawbacks
Positives:
- Powerful depiction of historical events with emotional depth.
- Strong performances by Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, and Atharva.
- Impressive background score and high technical quality.
Negatives:
- Slow narration and unnecessary romantic filler.
- Lack of smooth script flow and a simple, underwhelming climax.
Overall, Parasakthi serves as a socio-political reminder that resonates even today. Despite its flaws, the film’s honest intentions and strong performances make it a noteworthy, though imperfect, period drama.