Pongal 2026 hasn't been easy for Tamil movie buffs, as the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India brought in last minute tensions with its censor delays for two movies that were scheduled to release this Tamil holiday season. So much so that even Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin took to his official X handle, to tweet,

"Following the CBI, ED, IT, raids, the censor board (CBFC) has also become a new weapon of the BJP (central) government. Strong condemnations!" - MK Stalin On January 9, 2026 at 7: 52 PM

 

Only one of these big films has managed to clear the censor formalities, and it is releasing on January 10, 2026 under the title Parasakthi. 5 reasons to watch Parasakthi in theaters this Pongal 2026: 

1. Revolutionary Tamil History with 2026 Relevance

Parasakthi is a period drama set amid 1960s Tamil Nadu anti-Hindi agitations, and Sivakarthikeyan headlines this Sudha Kongara-directed film. The anti-Hindi agitations is tied to cultural history in Tamil Nadu, and Parasakthi sheds light on real life incidents surrounding the protests, that were aimed at preserving the Tamil language, but projected as a "hate for the Hindi language and people". 

1938 Anti-Hindi Agitation under Periyar - Reason for Opposing Hindi Imposition: 

Tamil-medium education is free in Tamil Nadu, and they are aimed at uplifting the economically downtrodden. In the 1930s, only the elite few had access and means to learn languages per will, and imposing Hindi, when the Tamil populace was already struggling with English (an existing mandatory subject in Tamil-medium schools), would have discouraged education, and resulted in school-dropouts.

 

Anti-Hindi sentiments also stemmed from Tamil linguistic identity being threatened, and Aryan languages like Hindi and Sanskrit replacing the Dravidian language Tamil. 

 

1940s - 1960s Anti-Hindi Movement Under DMK Founder CN Annadurai: Reason for Protests:

Hindi replacing English as the official language of India would have made the Tamil medium education redundant, as shown in the Parasakthi trailer. Hindi as the official language of India would have also resulted in the extinction of several regional languages including Tamil. 

 

Relevance in 2026 & Tamil Nadu's continued Opposition to Hindi Imposition:

A Hindi-first India puts non-native Hindi speakers at a disadvantage whereas an English-first India puts all Indians at the same level of linguistic start. English additionally comes with a global advantage, whereas learning or acing the Hindi language does not even provide that many opportunities within India. 

 

Protection of Tamil—as a linguistic identity, its rich heritage as one of the world's oldest languages, and the autonomy that comes with a native language—is an equally important reason in the current opposition to the imposition of Hindi in Tamil Nadu. 

Parasakthi  is a must watch for all Indians, especially those who misconstrue the fight for Tamil language as language chauvinism or bigotry towards non-Tamils. 

2. Plot/Story

Parasakthi is set in a time of civil disobedience that culminated in the 1965 anti-Hindi agitation of Tamil Nadu. Sivakarthikeyan plays Chezhian, a steadfast railway worker, and Atharvaa plays his brother Chinnadurai, a fiery student activist. How a ruthless intelligence officer (Ravi Mohan) turns up in 1960s Tamil Nadu to track down rebels, and what makes Chezhian abandon his peaceful ways to join a fierce battle for justice is what Parasakthi is about. 

Tamil Nadu's language uprising, weaved with family bonds, romance with Sreeleela, and clashes reflecting how social upheavals reshape lives, makes Parasakthi a story to look forward to in theaters. 

3. Stellar Cast

Parasakthi trailer and promos promise an intense avatar of Sivakarthikeyan, befitting to anchor his milestone 25th film. A clash with Ravi Mohan spells onscreen fireworks, and cameos from Basil Joseph, Rana Daggubati raises curiosity surrounding the casting and performances. 

4. Technical Crew

Prasakthi is music composer GV Prakash Kumar's 100th outing, and from what one sees in the promos, every frame has been elevated with an amplifying score. GV Prakash's combination with Sudha Kongara has also never gone wrong as witnessed in Putham Pudhu Kaalai (2020)'s Ilamai Idho Idho section, the National award winning Soorari Pottru (2020), and its Hindi remake Sarfira (2024). 

Paired with Ravi K. Chandran's authentic 1960s visuals, from steam trains to Madurai streets (M.R. Karthik Rajkumar for production design, S. Annadurai for art), editor  Sathish Suriya's sharp cuts, Supreme Sundar's action, and GV Prakash Kumar's songs with lyrics by Yugabharathi, Ekadesi, Arivu, Kaber Vasuki, Jayashree Mathimaran—Parasakthi promises a auditory-visual feast in theaters this Pongal.

5. Pongal Feast

With Jana Nayagan postponed, Parasakthi is the solo movie awaiting Tamil audience this Pongal.  Parasakthi's dubbed versions are also releasing in Telugu, and Hindi, making the film accessible for non-Tamil audience this Pongal/Makar Sankranti Indian holiday season.

A Dawn Pictures production, Parasakthi is censored U/A and comes with a runtime of 2 hours 42 minutes and 43 seconds. Parasakthi's first show (FDFS) begins at 5: 30 AM IST i.e 7: 30 PM EST in USA. Prime Media is Parasakthi's North America distributor.