Pongal release ‘Parasakthi’ shows why mother tongues matter

THE Tamil movie, Parasakthi, that ushered in 2026, is a bold, uncompromising cinematic statement that reaffirms the power of language as a vehicle of identity, resistance and pride.

- SARANYA DEVAN

SIVAKARTHIKEYAN stars in the movie. | Facebook

Directed by Sudha Kongara, and locally released by Kavin Media in time for Pongal, the movie set in the 1960s asserts, with urgency and clarity, that linguistic and cultural erasure is not a relic of the past but a present danger, and that reclaiming one’s mother tongue is an act of both personal and communitive liberation.

The film is based on the real-life 1965 anti-Hindi imposition agitations primarily in Tamil Nadu. This was an important event in modern Indian history when hundreds of thousands protested against the compulsory teaching and promotion of Hindi, seen as cultural domination threatening Tamil identity and equality.

In the film, the story begins around 1959 and follows events up to 1965 when young people, mainly students, became active in the movement led by figures like Periyar and CN Annadurai, standing up for their language and culture. The film’s insistence that language carries culture and memory resonates far beyond Tamil Nadu; it echoes historical language struggles elsewhere, notably the Soweto uprising of 1976 when black South African students rose against the imposition of Afrikaans in schools, pointing out that control of language was control of freedom.

The lead actor in Parasakthi, Sivakarthikeyan, brings a commanding presence, reflecting his dedication to the role. However, there are moments where the intensity of his characterisation could have been delivered a bit more strongly and convincingly. Debutante Sreeleela, a Shruti Haasan lookalike, gave a splendid rendition of her role and excelled in creating an emotional space on screen, making her scenes particularly resonant.