Movie: Parasakthi
Rating: 2.25/5
Cast: Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa, Sreeleela, Kulappulli Leela, Prakash Belawadi, Dev Ramnath, Prithvi Rajan, Guru Somasundaram, Chetan, Shaji Chen, Papri Ghosh, Sandhya Mridul, and others
Director: Sudha Kongara
Streaming On: ZEE5
Starring Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa, and Sreeleela in the lead roles, Parasakthi, directed by Sudha Kongara, was released in theaters worldwide this Pongal but failed to draw in audiences. The film is now available for streaming on ZEE5. Lets check its positives and negatives in the following review.
Story:
Set in the 1950s and 1960s, the film unfolds against the backdrop of the Central Government’s proposal to enforce a single national language across India, replacing the continued use of English introduced during British rule. This move, which triggered fears of Hindi imposition, forms the core political and emotional conflict of the narrative.
The story connects this movement to the lives of its lead characters — Chezhiyan (Sivakarthikeyan), a former student leader who is now a railway worker; his brother Chinna Durai (Atharvaa); Chezhiyan’s love interest Rathnamala (Sreeleela); and Thirunaadan (Ravi Mohan), a half-Tamil, half-Hindi police officer. The clash of ideologies and personal emotions among these characters drives the film.
Performances:
Sivakarthikeyan delivers a neat and restrained performance, though a stronger emphasis on his character’s emotional depth would have elevated his impact. Ravi Mohan, cast as the antagonist, owns the screen in a few moments, but the film fails to firmly establish his menace, and his character turns one-dimensional after a point. Atharvaa and Sreeleela perform adequately, while Kulappulli Leela, Prakash Belawadi, and the supporting cast fit their roles well.
Analysis:
Parasakthi tackles a historically significant subject, and director Sudha Kongara makes an earnest attempt to translate its emotions into a fictional narrative. The intent is sincere, and the film begins on an intriguing note with a compelling railway station episode.
But the screenplay soon turns uneven. While a few crucial portions successfully bring out the emotional core, the narrative struggles to maintain consistency. The opening sequence, the Delhi job interview, the railway station moments, and the interval protest sequence work effectively, despite following a familiar formula.
The second half, however, fails to deliver the intended emotional depth. A tragic event involving a key character leaves the audience largely unmoved. Even the confrontation scenes between Sivakarthikeyan and Ravi Mohan lack the required intensity and impact.
The scene involving the Central Government and the protagonist briefly raises hopes, but the subsequent pre-climax and climax feel stretched. Though cameos by actors from multiple languages inject some energy, they are not enough to salvage the dragged finale.
Positives:
- Cast/Performances
- Some Crucial Episodes
- Cameos at the Pre-Climax
Negatives:
- Inconsistent Screenplay
- Dull Proceedings
- Little Emotional Impact
- Unexciting Scenes
Parasakthi Review and Verdict:
Sudha Kongara’s Parasakthi shines only in a handful of scenes despite its honest effort. The performances are sincere, and the technical aspects are solid, but the largely ineffective and unengaging screenplay prevents the film from reaching its full potential.