Parasakthi Movie Review: Audience Divided as Sivakarthikeyan Takes Political Risk
Parasakthi, starring Sivakarthikeyan in the lead, released in theatres on January 10, 2026, amid massive expectations. Directed by Sudha Kongara, the Tamil-language historical political drama revisits the 1965 anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu, a sensitive and politically charged chapter in the state’s history. With strong pre-release buzz, controversial themes, and Sivakarthikeyan stepping into a serious socio-political role, the film was expected to make a thunderous opening at the box office.
However, despite the hype, Parasakthi’s first-day numbers and early audience reactions tell a more complicated story.
This detailed Parasakthi movie review analyses the film’s story, performances, technical aspects, audience reception, and most importantly, Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi box office collection, while assessing whether the film can recover during the Pongal holiday window.
Parasakthi Movie Overview:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | Parasakthi |
| Release Date | January 10, 2026 |
| Language | Tamil |
| Genre | Historical Political Drama |
| Director | Sudha Kongara |
| Lead Cast | Sivakarthikeyan, Atharvaa, Ravi Mohan, Sreeleela |
| Music | GV Prakash Kumar |
| Cinematography | Ravi K Chandran |
| Editor | Sathish Suriya |
| Producer | Dawn Pictures |
| Setting | 1960s Madras (Tamil Nadu) |
Parasakthi Story: Politics, Brotherhood and Language Conflict
Set against the backdrop of 1960s Madras, Parasakthi explores the ideological conflict surrounding the imposition of Hindi and the rise of language-based political movements in Tamil Nadu.
The story revolves around two brothers:
- One works with the Indian Railways, symbolising alignment with the central system.
- The other actively opposes the Hindi imposition, becoming part of the pro-Tamil resistance.
Sivakarthikeyan plays a man torn between family, identity, and political conscience, while Atharvaa portrays his ideological counterpart. The narrative aims to depict how political movements infiltrate personal lives, friendships, and romantic relationships.
While the intention is ambitious and rooted in history, many viewers felt that execution did not match the emotional weight of the subject.
Parasakthi Movie Review: What Works and What Doesn’t?
👍 What Works:
1. Sivakarthikeyan’s Performance –
Sivakarthikeyan receives praise for attempting a serious, politically layered role, moving away from his familiar entertainer image. His emotional scenes, especially in confrontational moments, show restraint and maturity.
2. Period Authenticity –
The recreation of 1960s Madras, costumes, political rallies, and visual tone effectively transport viewers to the era.
3. Technical Craftsmanship –
- GV Prakash’s background score enhances dramatic moments.
- Ravi K Chandran’s cinematography captures the grit of the period beautifully.
- Sathish Suriya’s editing, while sharp in parts, struggles with pacing overall.
👎 What Falls Short:
1. Slow Narration –
One of the biggest complaints from audiences is the painfully slow first half, dominated by long political monologues and an underwhelming love track.
2. Weak Emotional Payoff –
Despite the heavy subject, many felt the emotions around the anti-Hindi agitation lacked depth, making crucial scenes feel superficial.
3. Over-the-Top Presentation –
Several viewers criticised the excessive shouting, exaggerated build-ups, and prolonged sequences that test patience.
Public Reaction: Internet Divided Over Parasakthi
Soon after release, social media platforms—especially X (formerly Twitter)—were flooded with mixed to negative reactions.
Common Audience Reactions:
- “UNBEARABLE”
- “First half okay, second half drags”
- “Should have watched Dhurandhar again instead”
- “Good intentions, poor execution”
While a section appreciated the film’s ambition, a significant portion found the narration tedious and emotionally ineffective.
Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi Box Office Collection: Day 1 Report
Despite strong advance booking expectations, Parasakthi’s opening day collections underperformed.
Day 1 Box Office Collection (India) –
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| India Net Collection | ₹4.41 crore |
| Expected Opening | ₹10–12 crore |
| Advance Booking (Reported) | ₹6 crore |
| Opening Day Verdict | Below Expectations |
Trade analysts attributed the low numbers to:
- Limited screen availability in certain regions
- Weak early morning show occupancy
- Mixed word-of-mouth spreading rapidly
Box Office Comparison: Expectations vs Reality
Opening Day Collection Comparison –
Expected Opening: ██████████████ ₹12 Cr
Actual Opening: █████ ₹4.41 Cr
The stark gap between expectation and reality highlights how content-driven word of mouth continues to dominate box office outcomes, even for star-led films.
Parasakthi vs Other Recent Political Dramas:
| Film | Opening Day | Audience Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Parasakthi | ₹4.41 Cr | Mixed to Negative |
| Jana Nayagan | ₹8+ Cr | Polarised |
| Dhurandhar | ₹10+ Cr | Positive |
| Jai Bhim (Re-release trend) | Strong OTT | Highly Positive |
Compared to similar socio-political films, Parasakthi struggles to maintain engagement despite a powerful premise.
Role of Performances:
Sivakarthikeyan –
- Earnest
- Controlled
- Career-risk attempt
Atharvaa –
- Strong emotional presence
- One of the film’s highlights
Ravi Mohan (Antagonist) –
- Convincing but underwritten
Sreeleela –
- Fresh Tamil debut
- Limited scope due to weak love track
Why Parasakthi Failed to Connect with a Section of Audience?
- Overlong runtime
- Predictable narrative structure
- Lack of emotional highs
- Weak romantic subplot
- Heavy-handed political messaging
While the intentions are noble, cinematic engagement suffers.
Pongal Weekend Outlook: Can Parasakthi Recover?
With Pongal holidays approaching, trade experts believe the film still has a narrow window to improve numbers if:
- Word of mouth turns neutral-to-positive
- Family audiences show interest
- Political curiosity drives footfalls
However, given the strong competition and mixed reviews, a major box office turnaround appears challenging.
Final Verdict: Parasakthi Movie Review
Rating: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
Parasakthi is a film with honest intentions, strong performances, and impressive technical values, but is held back by slow pacing, stretched narration, and uneven emotional impact.
Sivakarthikeyan deserves credit for attempting a bold, politically sensitive role, yet the film ultimately struggles to balance ideology with entertainment.
FAQs: Parasakthi Movie Review & Box Office
Q1. Is Parasakthi based on real events?
Yes, the film is inspired by the 1965 anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu, though the characters are fictional.
Q2. How much did Parasakthi earn on Day 1?
The film collected ₹4.41 crore net in India on its opening day.
Q3. Is Parasakthi worth watching in theatres?
If you enjoy political period dramas, you may find it interesting. Casual viewers may find it slow.
Q4. Will Parasakthi recover during Pongal?
Recovery depends heavily on word of mouth; chances remain uncertain.
Q5. Who stands out in the film?
Sivakarthikeyan and Atharvaa deliver the strongest performances.
Conclusion:
Parasakthi set out to be a bold political statement, but ends up as a divisive cinematic experience. While it contributes to important conversations about language and identity, its box office performance and audience reception reflect the difficulty of translating complex political history into mass entertainment.
As the Pongal weekend unfolds, the industry watches closely to see whether Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi box office collection can defy early trends—or remain a cautionary tale of hype versus execution.
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