Sivakarthikeyan’s latest outing Parasakthi, directed by Sudha Kongara, hit theatres on Saturday, and while the film has generated buzz for its period setting and political themes, its opening day numbers
fell short of expectations. Despite minimal competition at the box office, the film could not surpass the openings of some of Sivakarthikeyan’s previous releases.
According to Sacnilk, Parasakthi earned an estimated ₹11.50 crore net in India on day one, with Tamil theatres reporting an occupancy of 62.79%. While the numbers are respectable, they lag behind Sivakarthikeyan’s Amaran, which opened to ₹24.7 crore in 2024, and Madharaasi (2025), which collected ₹13.65 crore on its first day. The film also trails the openings of Vijay’s The GOAT (₹52 crore) and Kamal Haasan’s The Thug Life (₹15.5 crore).
The film’s release comes at a strategic time, with Pongal around the corner and few competing releases. Vijay’s Jana Nayagan was postponed due to certification delays, giving Parasakthi a clearer run at the box office. Industry watchers will be keeping an eye on whether this advantage translates into sustained collections over the festive period.
Produced by Aakash Bhaskaran under Dawn Pictures and distributed by Red Giant Movies, the film stars Sivakarthikeyan, Sreeleela, Ravi Mohan, and Atharvaa in lead roles. Supporting actors include Dev Ramnath, Prithvi Rajan, Guru Somasundaram, Basil Joseph, and Papri Ghosh.
Set in 1960s Madras, Parasakthi follows two brothers caught up in the anti-Hindi imposition movement in Tamil Nadu. Sivakarthikeyan plays a railway engine driver balancing personal responsibility with political turmoil, Ravi Mohan portrays a hardline officer sent from Delhi, Atharvaa appears as the younger brother drawn into student-led protests, and Sreeleela plays a Tamil newsreader navigating societal tensions.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) asked for 25 cuts and modifications before granting a UA certificate, leading to a last-minute clearance just ahead of the release.
The film has also sparked debate among Telugu-speaking audiences due to a leaked censor list. One of the muted terms, “golty”, has been flagged as offensive. Social media backlash has included calls for boycotts and demands for a ban.
The term, also spelled “golti” or “gulte,” has historically been used to refer to Telugu-speaking people and sometimes carries caste- or community-based connotations. While some argue it is merely “Telugu” spelled in reverse, others view it as derogatory and offensive.
Parasakthi marks Sudha Kongara’s return after Soorarai Pottru (2020) and its Hindi remake Sarfira (2024). The film, initially referred to as #SK25 for Sivakarthikeyan’s 25th film milestone, was shot across Madurai, Pollachi, and Sri Lanka. G V Prakash has composed the music, Ravi K Chandran handled cinematography, and Supreme Sundar choreographed the stunts.
