Parasakthi Movie Review: Sivakarthikeyan’s milestone 25th film, Parasakthi, hit theatres on January 10, 2026, ahead of Pongal, but the audience reception has been largely negative. Directed by Sudha Kongara, the period political drama aimed to depict the 1965 Anti-Hindi Imposition agitations in Tamil Nadu.
While the film avoided a direct clash with Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan, the delay did little to help its fortunes, as viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice sharp criticism.
Parasakthi Movie Review: Sivakarthikeyan Starrer Gets Largely Negative Response From Audience
Several early reactions highlighted issues with pacing and performances. One user gave the film a 1.5/5 rating, calling it a “neutral review” and wrote, “Parasakthi dreams big, but ultimately falls short. The film aspires to recreate a powerful period setting, yet never truly transports the viewer into its time. Unlike Iruvar, where the characters and atmosphere seamlessly pull us into the era, Parasakthi leaves us firmly in the present.”
Another viewer wrote, “Negatives: Siva Karthikeyan cringe acting, movie felt very slow. Slow narration. Personal opinion – sika please go to Vijay TV,” tweeted one viewer.
Another third user shared his Parasakthi Movie Review and wrote, “The film initially grabs attention with an authentic period setup. However, a slow narration and dull love track dominate most of the first half. Post-interval, the film drags endlessly, testing patience with convenient writing and stretched-out sequences. The emotions surrounding the pro-language movement feel superficial and fail to land effectively.”
One more said, “Despite an authentic period setup, Parasakthi turns out to be a slow and tiring watch. A dull love track and sluggish narration dominate the first half. The second half drags even more with weak emotions and convenient writing.”
Check out some more reactions below:
About This Political Drama
Set against a politically charged era, Parasakthi follows Chezhiyan (Sivakarthikeyan), a student leader caught up in the anti-Hindi imposition protests that shaped Tamil Nadu’s linguistic and political identity. The film explores themes of brotherhood, student activism, and the fight for language autonomy, attempting to bring historical events to the big screen with dramatic intensity.
The ensemble cast features Ravi Mohan as the antagonist Thirunaadan, Atharvaa as Chezhiyan’s brother Chinnadurai, and Sreeleela in her Tamil debut. Supporting performances include Guru Somasundaram, Prithvi Rajan, and a cameo by Rana Daggubati. Technical aspects are led by acclaimed cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran, while GV Prakash Kumar marks his 100th project as music composer.
Produced by Dawn Pictures with a budget reported between Rs 141.5 crore and Rs 150 crore (though some estimates, including promotions, reach Rs 200 crore), Parasakthi is one of the most expensive ventures in Sivakarthikeyan’s career. The film runs for 2 hours and 42 minutes and carries a U/A 16+ certificate from the CBFC.
Despite its scale and historical significance, Parasakthi has struggled to resonate with viewers. Online conversations, trending under the tag “DISASTER” on X, indicate that the ambitious political drama has failed to meet audience expectations
