The pulse of Tamil cinema beat faster this weekend as two of the industry’s biggest stars, Sivakarthikeyan and Thalapathy Vijay, dominated the headlines with simultaneous, high-profile updates. In a striking contrast of themes, one event sought to transport audiences back to the nostalgic charm of the 1960s, while the other hurled them into the volatile arena of contemporary politics.
From the grand unveiling of the “World of Parasakthi” exhibition at Chennai’s iconic Valluvar Kottam to the release of the politically charged anthem “Oru Pere Varalaaru” (One Name is History) from Vijay’s upcoming film Jananayagan, the industry is buzzing with excitement, debate, and anticipation.
The Grand Unveiling: Stepping into the ‘World of Parasakthi’
On Thursday, the team behind the highly anticipated period drama Parasakthi orchestrated a promotional event unlike any seen in recent times. Directed by the acclaimed Sudha Kongara, the film features an ensemble cast including Sivakarthikeyan, Jayam Ravi (credited as Ravi Mohan), Atharvaa, and Sreeleela.
To immerse the audience in the film’s setting, the makers constructed a massive, detailed set dubbed the “World of Parasakthi” at Valluvar Kottam. The exhibition, which is open to the public from December 19 to 21, offers a tangible glimpse into the 1960s, the era in which the film is set.
“A Director’s Privilege”
Director Sudha Kongara, speaking at the launch, expressed her deep emotional connection to the project. Known for her meticulous research in films like Irudhi Suttru (Saala Khadoos) and Soorarai Pottru, Kongara revealed that she had dedicated nearly five years to bringing Parasakthi to life.
“The greatest privilege for a director is the ability to live many lives,” Kongara said, her voice filled with passion. “I lived with boxers for ‘Irudhi Suttru’ and in the world of aviation for ‘Soorarai Pottru’. For the last five years, I have lived in the 1960s. I don’t think of this as just a break; ‘Parasakthi’ has given me everything.”
She described the people of that era as simple, driven not by money but by a fiery passion for their newly independent nation. “The India of 1962 was a young nation. The people had a fire inside them to fight for their rights. That is what we have captured in this film,” she noted.
An Immersive Experience
The exhibition itself is a marvel of art direction. Videos from the event showcase a meticulously recreated railway station, complete with a life-sized vintage train, classic cars from the mid-20th century, and props like lanterns and slate bulbs that evoke a strong sense of nostalgia.
“When you walk in, you will feel the experience we felt on set,” Kongara promised the fans. “It feels like the time of our grandparents—a time of different values and aesthetics.”
Star Power: Sivakarthikeyan and Jayam Ravi
Sivakarthikeyan, who plays the lead, described the film as a significant milestone in his career—his 25th film. He praised the director’s vision and the dedication of his co-stars.
“This is not just a film; it is an experience,” Sivakarthikeyan stated, addressing the gathered press and fans. “Sudha Ma’am has done a PhD on this subject over the last four years. We just had to follow her instructions. This film speaks about the power of students and the history of our soil.”
He also humorously highlighted his bond with Atharvaa, joking that their friendship revolves around food, and welcomed Sreeleela to the Tamil industry, predicting she would captivate the audience with her performance.
In a surprising turn, Jayam Ravi, credited as Ravi Mohan for this film, has taken on a role that is reportedly an antagonist or a character with grey shades. Sivakarthikeyan lauded Ravi’s decision: “For a successful hero to accept a role like this is a tough decision. But Ravi sir did it with grace. He is the senior-most among us, yet he worked without any ego.”
Ravi Mohan reciprocated the respect, thanking the producer Akash Baskaran for the courage to mount such a multi-starrer. “To produce a film with one hero is hard enough today. To bring three heroes together requires immense guts,” Ravi remarked.
The Political Anthem: Vijay’s ‘Jananayagan’ Stirs the Pot
While Sivakarthikeyan was taking fans to the past, Thalapathy Vijay was making waves in the present. The release of the second single, “Oru Pere Varalaaru”, from his film Jananayagan (The Leader of the People), has sparked intense political debate.
Vijay, who has recently launched his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is seen by many as using his final films to cement his political ideology. The song, featuring lyrics that extol his name as “history” and portray him as a savior, has drawn sharp reactions from political commentators and critics.
Lyrics Under the Microscope
The song features lines like, “Even if history is erased, one name remains history,” and “If you stand far away, a place will live… but if you go far, our lives will be lost.” These lyrics have been interpreted by supporters as a rallying cry for his political entry, portraying him as indispensable to the state’s welfare.
However, the track has faced severe backlash from critics who argue that the lyrics are disconnected from reality.
“What History Does He Have?”
In a scathing critique that has gone viral on social media, political commentators have questioned the validity of the song’s claims. One prominent critic, speaking on a popular Tamil YouTube channel, dismantled the song’s premise line by line.
“They wrote, ‘One name is history.’ What history does Vijay have?” the critic asked pointedly. “Has he led any major protests? Did he ever besiege the Assembly or the Governor’s house for public issues? Did he participate in road blockades? Even within the cinema industry, has he fought for the rights of women or technicians?”
The commentary drew a sharp comparison between Vijay and the late Captain Vijayakanth, a revered figure in Tamil cinema and politics known for his grassroots activism.
“When Vijayakanth entered politics, there was a justification. He rolled up his sleeves, got into the mud with farmers, and connected directly with the people,” the analyst argued. “Vijay, on the other hand, asks people not to follow him. He lacks that ground-level connection. To give a ‘mass’ elevation song to someone with no political history feels like forcing a heroic anthem on a comedy actor—it just doesn’t sync.”
A Clash of Timings and Ideologies
The simultaneous nature of these events—the Parasakthi exhibition and the Jananayagan song release—has not gone unnoticed. Some observers speculate that the sudden release of the Jananayagan single was a strategic move to divert attention from the massive buzz surrounding Sivakarthikeyan’s event.
“It feels like a calculated move to dominate the news cycle,” one industry insider noted. “The ‘World of Parasakthi’ is a unique promotional strategy, something rare in Kollywood. Releasing a controversial political song at the exact same time forces the media to split its focus.”
Critics have also taken issue with the specific lyric: “If you stand far away, the land lives… but if you go away, we die.”
“This promotes a dangerous cult of personality,” the critic in the viral video argued. “It encourages a regressive mindset where people threaten self-harm if a leader leaves. In a progressive land like Tamil Nadu, we should be choosing leaders based on policy, not blind hero worship.”
The Road Ahead: Pongal 2026?
Despite the controversies, the excitement for both projects is undeniable. Parasakthi is gearing up for a grand theatrical release, with the team announcing a tentative release date around Pongal (January 14). The film promises to be an emotional and visual treat, backed by the musical prowess of GV Prakash, who calls it his third major collaboration with Sudha Kongara after Soorarai Pottru.
“This film captures the essence of the 60s,” GV Prakash said. “We used a mix of retro and high-period instrumentation to create a unique soundscape. It has intense drama and the spirit of a young nation.”
On the other hand, Jananayagan is poised to be more than just a movie; it is viewed as a political vehicle for Vijay. As he prepares to transition fully into politics, every lyric, dialogue, and scene is being scrutinized for its ideological signaling.
Conclusion
As the weekend draws to a close, Tamil cinema fans are left with an embarrassment of riches. They have the option to visit Valluvar Kottam and step into the meticulously crafted past of Parasakthi, or they can engage in the fiery debates surrounding the future of Tamil politics via Jananayagan.
Whether one prefers the nostalgic artistry of Sudha Kongara or the high-stakes political drama of Vijay, one thing is certain: Kollywood is alive, vibrant, and more polarized than ever. The coming months, leading up to the festival releases, promise to be nothing short of historic.
