The Plot: It’s Giving Main Character Energy
Set in the 1960s, Parasakthi isn’t just a historical drama; it’s a full-on political thriller. We follow Chezhaiyan (Sivakarthikeyan), a railway worker who just wants to pay the bills, and his brother Chinna Durai (Atharvaa), a fiery student leader at the heart of the anti-Hindi imposition protests.
When the system (represented by a terrifyingly stoic Ravi Mohan/Jayam Ravi) pushes them too far, the “peace-loving” SK undergoes a transformation that is honestly chef’s kiss.
1. Sivakarthikeyan’s Performance: The Glow-Up is Real
If you still think of SK as the “comedy guy,” you need to wake up. In Parasakthi, he brings an intensity we haven’t seen since Amaran. His transition from a protective older brother to a revolutionary leader is pure fire.
- Vibe Check: SK is officially in his “Performer Era.”
2. The Villain: Jayam Ravi as Thirunaadan
Can we talk about Jayam Ravi as the antagonist? He plays a ruthless police officer who is basically the “final boss” of systemic oppression. He doesn’t scream; he just stares you down until you feel the chills. His scenes with SK are the highlight of the movie.
3. The Tech & Music: 100th GV Prakash Special 🎵
This is GV Prakash’s 100th film, and he didn’t come to play. The BGM during the interval block is literally “goosebumps-coded.” It elevates a slow-burn first half into something epic.
- Cinematography: Ravi K. Chandran makes 1960s Madras look like a vintage Pinterest board—moody, aesthetic, and incredibly detailed.
The “Real” Talk: What We Liked & What Was Mid
| The Ws (Pros) | The Ls (Cons) |
| Interval Block: One of the best theater moments of 2026. | The First Half: The romance track with Sreeleela felt like a major speedbreaker. |
| Social Commentary: Hard-hitting dialogues that feel relevant even today. | Pacing: At 2h 42m, it’s a bit of a “patience tester” in the middle. |
| Atharvaa & SK Chemistry: The brotherly bond is the soul of the film. | Censorship: You can tell some hard-hitting lines were muted/cut. |
Final Verdict: Cop or Drop? 🎟️
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars ⭐
Parasakthi is a “Cop” if you love political dramas and career-best performances. While the first hour is a bit of a slog with unnecessary “filler” romance, the second half and the climax court scene—a heavy nod to the original 1952 film—are Absolute Peak Cinema. It’s a movie that asks, “Is Delhi the only India?” and doesn’t back down from the answer. It’s loud, it’s proud, and it’s definitely going to dominate your Twitter (X) feed for weeks.
FAQs About Parasakthi (2026)
- Is it a remake of the 1952 Parasakthi? No, it’s a new story set in the 1960s, though it pays homage to the original’s themes of social justice.
- Who is the music director? GV Prakash Kumar (this is his 100th film!).
- Is it safe to watch with family? Yes, it’s rated UA16+ for some intense political violence and themes.
Comparing the 1952 original Parasakthi to the 2026 version is like comparing a vintage vinyl record to a high-def Spotify stream. Both hit deep, but they vibrate differently for their respective generations.
Here is how Sudha Kongara and Sivakarthikeyan (SK) paid homage to the “Nadigar Thilagam” Sivaji Ganesan and “Kalaignar” Karunanidhi’s masterpiece.
Parasakthi: 1952 vs. 2026 — The Ultimate Throwback Comparison 🎞️✨
1. The Core Conflict: Identity & Survival
- 1952 Original: Set during World War II, it followed the struggle of a family separated between Burma and India. It was a raw look at poverty, the black market, and the “misfortunes” of the common man.
- 2026 Reboot: Shifts the timeline to the 1960s Anti-Hindi Imposition Protests. Instead of surviving a literal war, SK’s character is surviving a cultural and political war.
- The Parallel: Both films focus on a brother (Gunasekaran then, Chezhaiyan now) who becomes “radicalized” because the system fails to protect his family.
2. The Iconic “Temple Scene” 🛕
- 1952 Version: Sivaji Ganesan delivers the legendary dialogue about the goddess: “Success! … Parasakthi is a stone, she won’t speak.” It was a massive hit against religious hypocrisy.
- 2026 Version: Sudha Kongara keeps the vibe but updates the context. SK doesn’t just question the “stone”; he questions the “men who act like gods.” It’s less about atheism and more about the abuse of power by those in high places.
- Vibe Check: It’s a literal “re-skin” of the 1952 scene that made the theater go wild.
3. The Courtroom Monologue: The “Final Boss” Moment
- The 1952 OG: Sivaji Ganesan’s 5-minute monologue is still the gold standard of Tamil acting. He literally invented “theater-style” cinematic acting in that scene.
- The 2026 SK Version: This was the biggest risk. SK doesn’t try to mimic Sivaji (because you can’t). Instead, he delivers a low-key, simmering, and conversational speech that feels more “Gen Z.” It’s less about shouting and more about facts, logic, and “receipts.”
- Winner: The 1952 version is more iconic, but the 2026 version is more relatable for today’s “woke” audience.
Directing Style: Krishnan-Panju vs. Sudha Kongara
| Feature | 1952 (Krishnan-Panju) | 2026 (Sudha Kongara) |
| Pacing | Slow, theatrical, dialogue-heavy | Fast, gritty, action-oriented |
| Villain | Systemic poverty/Evil priest | Jayam Ravi (Ruthless Police State) |
| Music | R. Sudarsanam (Classical/Lyrical) | GV Prakash (Bass-heavy/Revolutionary) |
Why the 2026 Version Works for Us
The 1952 film was about Rationalism (Dravidian ideology). The 2026 film is about Federalism (States’ rights and local identity).
Sudha Kongara smartly kept the DNA of the original—the brother-sister bond and the fight against oppression—but dressed it up in the aesthetics of the 1960s. SK playing a character inspired by the real-life student martyr Annamalai University’s Rajendran adds a layer of “True Crime” vibes that our generation loves.
Final “Old vs. New” Verdict
The 1952 Parasakthi is the blueprint that built Tamil cinema. The 2026 Parasakthi is the upgrade that proves these themes are still “trending” because the struggle never really changed.