New Delhi: Political storms are brewing in Tamil Nadu over two films, Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi and Vijay’s Jana Nayagan. While Jana Nayangan‘s release has been delayed due to Central Board of Film Certification intervention, Parasakthi is facing calls for ban from Tamil Nadu Congress members.
Billed as the DMK’s film for the election season, Parasakthi’s title is borrowed from another 1952 film written by former DMK president M Karunanidhi. DMK’s political ally, Congress, however is calling out the depiction of history and the party in the film.
“It is the only film made on the anti-hindi protests of Tamil Nadu, and has used fictionalisation, including creating a hero-villain trope. But it is not about any political leaders, but the people who had protested, who were not affiliated to any political party back then,” senior film critic Ramesh Bala.
Directed by Sudha Kongara, Parasakthi is set against the backdrop of the widespread protests against Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu during the 1960s. It follows Chezhiyan (Sivakarthikeyan), an idealistic student, who becomes actively involved in the movement opposing the declaration of Hindi as an official language.
“There are no physical protests because the state government supports the film. It is an online war between two political party supporters, and also Vijay fans targeting the film because Jana Nayagan is now delayed,” said Bala.
The movie has divided DMK and Congress loyalists, with the former lauding it, and Congress asking for removal of scenes.
On 12 January, Tamil Nadu Youth Congress vice president Arun Bhaskar shared a statement, outlining four major objections to the film’s portrayal of Congress and its leaders. Bhaskar demanded the removal of ‘ahistorical’ scenes from the film and an apology. He pointed out how scenes like Indira Gandhi’s trip to Coimbatore, and a train set on fire, were completely fictional.
“At the end of the film, during the end credits, real photographs of our leaders—K Kamaraj, Indira Gandhi, and then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri—are shown, accompanied by an utterly baseless claim that the Congress party shot and killed more than 200 Tamil people in Pollachi,” read the statement.
Also read: ‘Jana Nayagan’ projects Vijay as the future CM of Tamil Nadu. That’s the problem
‘I have no propaganda’
Parasakthi was cleared for release after more than 25 cuts and a UA16+ certificate. The film, which released on 10 January, has earned Rs 28.15 crore in four days.
“The drop happened on the weekday, but the final verdict will depend on how it performs on Pongal and upcoming weekend,” said Bala.
Meanwhile, the film’s lead Sivakarthikeyan, along with fellow actor Ravi Mohan, and music composer GV Prakash were special guests at the Pongal celebration hosted by Union Minister L Murugan at his Delhi residence. They also met with PM Narendra Modi at the event.
#Thiruvasagam was performed today in #Pongal2026 celebration at Delhi in front of our honourable prime minister @narendramodi sir … @DrLMurugan . Will launch it soon officially ❤️🙌 pic.twitter.com/ldFiIPqeBA
— G.V.Prakash Kumar (@gvprakash) January 14, 2026
“People are understanding it and taking it in the right way, and what we intended is reaching the people. If they watch the film completely, they will understand. I have no propaganda… I wished Vijay for his political journey personally, and on social media too. His film will release soon,” said Sivakarthikeyan.
While the Congress demanded removal of scenes from Parasakthi, its leaders came out in defence of Vijay’s film.
“The I&B Ministry’s attempt to block ‘Jana Nayagan’ is an attack on Tamil culture. Mr Modi, you will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people,” wrote Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on X on 13 January.
The I&B Ministry’s attempt to block ‘Jana Nayagan’ is an attack on Tamil culture.
Mr Modi, you will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 13, 2026
What’s next for Vijay
Jana Nayagan was to release on 9 January, marking the end of Vijay’s acting career, as he joined full-time politics. However, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) raised concerns about the film’s content, leading to a prolonged certification process. On 6 December, the makers moved the Madras High Court seeking intervention.
A single-judge bench comprising PT Asha ordered the censor board to issue a U/A certificate. But the CBFC filed a quick appeal halting the release at least till 21 January, which is also the scheduled date for the next hearing. The makers then reached the Supreme Court, filing an appeal to fast-track the certification process and secure a release date.
A bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Augustine George Masih will hear the petition on 15 January. This has also resulted in the postponement of the re-release of Theri (2016), a Vijay blockbuster.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)