Actors from ‘Parasakthi’ were among the guests at a Pongal celebration hosted by Union Minister L Murugan at his residence in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the festivities. According to ANI, the Prime Minister said festivals such as Pongal strengthen the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.” Senior BJP leaders from Tamil Nadu were also present.

The gathering took place amid reports that the ‘Parasakthi’ team, including Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan and music composer GV Prakash, may meet the Prime Minister during their visit to the capital. India Today reported that the cast is expected to hold an interaction with Modi.

Meanwhile, the Congress has criticised the 'Parasakthi' team for attending the event. 

The film, released on 10 January, has generated heated debate and mixed box-office performance, with political pushback and online campaigns shaping its reception.

Political backdrop and film controversy

The film, set in 1960s Tamil Nadu during the anti-Hindi agitations, has drawn criticism from the state Youth Congress, which claimed it depicts “baseless” incidents as historical facts. The project has also become entangled in national political narratives, with some alleging that ‘Parasakthi’ portrays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi unfavourably.

Despite the noise, producers have maintained that the film has been financially beneficial for exhibitors and stakeholders.

Director alleges targeted online trolling

Director Sudha Kongara has spoken publicly about what she believes is a coordinated online campaign against the film. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, she said the backlash extends well beyond legitimate criticism.

She remarked, “There is slander and defamation of the worst kind, hiding behind unknown IDs. We have to counter that.” She further added, “You wonder where it is coming from, and you know where it is coming from.”

The filmmaker suggested that part of the hostility is fuelled by fan rivalries, particularly from supporters of actor Vijay, whose film ‘Jana Nayagan’ was initially scheduled to release opposite ‘Parasakthi’ but remains stalled in the certification process.

Referencing a threatening post from a fan account, she noted the message that read, “CBFC kitta Certificate vangurathu perusu illa ..Anna fans kitta Sorry keetu, Apology Certificate vaangu... Innum 1 week iruku, avanga manichu vitta #Parasakthi oodum” (It is not a big deal to get a CBFC certificate. Apologise to fans of Anna - Vijay - and get the that apology certificate. There is one more week. They will forgive you. Parasakthi will run (sic).)

A tense censorship battle before release

‘Parasakthi’ also faced a dramatic clearance process with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The film received its U/A certificate with 25 mandated modifications only a day before its release.

Sudha Kongara, who had earlier described the CBFC as “democratic” and “fair,” told THR India that her view shifted after receiving the cut list at the last minute. She described the ensuing 70-hour scramble as “hell,” and questioned the logic behind certain edits, saying cuts such as removing the word “Sirikki” appeared arbitrary. She added that she had to reduce depictions of self-immolation and violence by seconds to meet the board’s directions.

Sivakarthikeyan later told India Today that the team prioritised completing the CBFC’s changes without compromising creative intent. “The Censor Board operates according to their own regulations and criteria… We didn’t have time to figure out why they suggested these changes,” he said.