Parasakthi Faces Box Office Decline and Political Controversy Over Historical Portrayal

Parasakthi, a Tamil political drama starring Sivakarthikeyan and directed by Sudha Kongara, depicts the 1965 anti-Hindi imposition protests in Tamil Nadu. The film opened strongly but saw a sharp box office decline amid mixed reviews and controversies. The Tamil Nadu Youth Congress has demanded a ban, alleging historical distortions and negative portrayals of Congress leaders, including Indira Gandhi. The director and cast defend the film as fictionalized and emphasize its artistic intent. The film faced 25 censor cuts before release and has also encountered targeted online backlash, which the director attributes partly to fan rivalries. Despite challenges, Parasakthi has received praise from industry veterans and remains a topic of political debate ahead of state elections.