# Parasakthi (upcoming film)

Parasakthi (transl. The Supreme Power) is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language political period drama film directed by Sudha Kongara and produced by Dawn Pictures. The film stars Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa and Sreeleela (in her Tamil debut) in the lead roles, alongside Dev Ramnath, Prithvi Rajan, Guru Somasundaram and Basil Joseph. Based on true events, the story revolves around the Anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu that happened in 1965.
Initially, Sudha and Suriya were set to collaborate after Soorarai Pottru (2020). Announced in October 2023, Dulquer Salmaan, Nazriya Nazim and Vijay Varma were on board in the lead roles, tentatively titled Suriya 43. Due to unknown reasons, however, the film was shelved. Sudha then revived the script with Sivakarthikeyan replacing Suriya. The film was announced in December 2024 under the tentative title SK25, as it is the actor's 25th film as a lead actor, and the official title was announced the following month. Principal photography commenced the same month and has currently been taking place at Chennai, Chidambaram, Karaikudi, Madurai and Colombo. The film has music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, cinematography handled by Ravi K. Chandran and editing by Sathish Suriya.
Parasakthi is scheduled to be released by Red Giant Movies in theatres.

## Premise

Based on true events, the film revolves around the Anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu that happened in 1965.

## Cast

* Sivakarthikeyan
* Ravi Mohan
* Atharvaa
* Basil Joseph
* Sreeleela
* Basil Joseph
* Dev Ramnath
* Prithvi Rajan
* Guru Somasundaram

## Production
### Development

In late October 2021, reports claimed that actor Suriya, director Sudha Kongara and music composer G. V. Prakash Kumar would collaborate for the second time after Soorarai Pottru (2020). The following January, Suriya confirmed their reunion. Initially conceived as a biographical film inspired by true events, the project was delayed due to their respective commitments to Kanguva (2024) and Sarfira (2024), the Hindi remake of Soorarai Pottru. Discussions resumed in mid-2023 under the tentative title Suriya 43, as it would be the actor's 43rd film as leading actor. Jointly produced by Suriya's 2D Entertainment and Sudha's Meenakshi Cinemas, the companies made a public announcement on 26 October, confirming the lead cast and revealing a part of the title as Purananooru. Cinematographer Jomon T. John confirmed joining the crew few days after the announcement.
In March 2024, after the project was reported to have been shelved, Sudha denied those claims and stated that she needed more time for the film's pre-production, that resulted in the delay of its shooting. However, the following July, Suriya was reported to have left the film, and Sivakarthikeyan was in consideration for his replacement. Production was reported to commence after the latter completes his commitments, Madharasi (2025) and SK24. Aakash Baskaran's Dawn Pictures, a recently established production house, announced the project on 14 December, confirming the project, and the official title Parasakthi was announced on 29 January 2025. Made on a budget of ₹150–250 crore, Sivakarthikeyan was reported to receive ₹50 crore (US$5.7 million) as his remuneration. However, along with Sudha, he reportedly decided to take the revenue-sharing model to benefit the film's production; as per basis, they would receive an advance and a major portion of the profits would be received as their remuneration. Sudha wrote the script, screenplay and dialogues with Arjun Nadesan, with additional dialogues provided by Madhan Karky and Shan Karuppasamy. Professor Dr. A. Ramasamy served as the script consultant.

### Pre-production

Pre-production began in May 2024, and was completed after six months. A muhurat puja was held at Chennai in early November 2024 with the presence of the film's cast and crew. During a test shoot, which was reportedly held on 3 December in Chennai, Sivakarthikeyan who was requested by Sudha to remove his beard was reported to have denied doing so and left the shoot unbeknownst to the others. The day after, however, the team shot the promotional teaser for the film and completed within few days.
In mid-December 2024, Ravi K. Chandran was announced as cinematographer, in his first film with Sudha and Sivakarthikeyan. G. V. Prakash Kumar would score the music, in his third consecutive film with the director. Sudha further retained her norm technician, including editor Sathish Suriya, production designer Bindiya Chhabria, art director Arvind Ashok Kumar, and stunt choreographer Supreme Sundar. Rhea Kongara and Vikram R. were appointed as the executive producers by the production house. Actor Dev Ramnath, besides appearing in a prominent role, also served as the creative producer of the film.

### Casting

Following the first announcement of the film, Suriya was reported to lose weight for his character in the film as a college student. Dulquer Salmaan was reportedly brought onboard the cast in July 2022, while his inclusion was confirmed after a year, in July 2023. The following September, Nazriya Nazim was reported to be a part of the cast, in her first Tamil film after Thirumanam Enum Nikkah (2014). The same month, Vijay Varma, Ajay Devgn and Aditi Shankar were reportedly a part of the cast, with Varma being reported to play the lead antagonist role. Madhavan, who acted with Suriya in Aayutha Ezhuthu (2004), was also reported to reunite with him, playing a primary role. Nazriya and Varma's presence were confirmed in October.
Soon after Suriya reportedly left the project, Sivakarthikeyan was reported to sport three different looks for his character. Reports initially claimed that director Lokesh Kanagaraj was to make his full-fledged acting debut; however, it was not confirmed by the makers. In November 2024, Ravi Mohan or Vishal were reportedly in consideration for the antagonist role. When the latter was asked, he denied the reports. Sreeleela further replaced Nazriya's role as the female lead, while also making her Tamil debut with the film. Atharvaa was reported to replace the initial role of Dulquer Salmaan. Ravi, Sreeleela and Atharvaa's presence in the film was confirmed by the production house in mid-December 2024. The former had reportedly lost weight for his character in the film. Dev Ramnath and Prithvi Rajan were cast in supporting roles. Guru Somasundaram and Basil Joseph were present at the film's preliminary shooting, confirming their presence in the film; the latter would make his Tamil debut with this film.

### Filming

Principal photography began with the first schedule on 14 December 2024 at Binny Mills in Chennai. Sequences involving Sivakarthikeyan and Ravi were reportedly shot first during this schedule. Producer Aakash Baskaran stated that filming would be shot extensively in and around Tamil Nadu and would be completed by June or July. He also stated that they had already shot two songs composed by Prakash Kumar, during the first schedule. The second schedule commenced on 6 February at Annamalai University in Chidambaram, in where fans of Sivakarthikeyan gathered and posted pictures of the actor in social media. Atharvaa also joined the sets during this schedule.
In late February, production moved to Karaikudi. The third schedule took place at Karaikudi Stores. During this schedule, the team organised a cake-cutting for Sivakarthikeyan, coinciding the occasion of his birthday, and served himself biryani to the team. Over 50 fans of his also entered the sets to meet and wish the actor on his birthday. Sequences featuring Sivakarthikeyan and Prithivi Rajan were shot on 20 February. Later that month, Sudha stated that they soon after moved to Meenakshi Temple at Madurai and completed the schedule by 26 February. A few days later, during the launch of a restaurant, Ravi stated that they would shoot the following schedule in Sri Lanka.
Sivakarthikeyan arrived at Sri Lanka on 11 March for the concurrent schedule, which took place on 12 March at Colombo. During this schedule, the team erected sets which resembled Madurai Junction railway station and Delhi, for major sequences. Guru Somasundaram joined the production in this schedule. On 15 March, Ravi and Basil Joseph began filming their portions of the schedule. Joseph's presence at the sets confirmed his inclusion in the film.

## Music

The soundtrack is composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, in his 100th film as a music composer. It is also his third consecutive film with Sudha after Soorarai Pottru and its Hindi remake, Sarfira, and his second with Sivakarthikeyan after Amaran.
On 1 January 2024, Prakash revealed that the recording for the songs had begun with a song sung by Dhee as the lead singer. The soundtrack's lyrics were written by Yugabharathi, Ekadesi, Arivu, Kaber Vasuki and Jayashree Mathimaran. Prakash has composed five songs for the film.

## Marketing

The film's teaser trailer was released on 29 January 2025, revealing the film's title. The second promotional poster released the following day hinted at the film being an anti-Hindi imposition film.

## Release

Parasakthi is reportedly being planned by the makers to be released in the second half of 2025. Apart from the original Tamil language, it is also releasing in a dubbed version for Telugu under the same name.

## Title disputes

Prior to the title's reveal, it was leaked on social media platforms. K. Chandrasekaran, the head of Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Samuga Nala Peravai, released a statement saying that the use of the title Parasakthi was objectionable, due to the title being previously used for the 1952 Sivaji Ganesan-starrer Parasakthi. The statement further explained that the 1952 film created a revolution in Tamil cinema and is still praised for the dialogues written by M. Karunanidhi. The group ended their statement by requesting the makers of this film to change its title, or the fans would protest until it is done. Soon after the title's announcement, AVM Productions, the area distributors of the 1952 film, released a statement that the rights of the title Parasakthi was given by them to Dawn Pictures.
The same day of the title announcement, Vijay Antony released a statement where he had registered the title Parashakthi back in July 2024 for his film Sakthi Thirumagan's dubbed Telugu version, in the mindset of this film's makers to change their title. The following day, the makers of Antony's film and this film's makers found a mutual decision, wherein this film would keep its title as Parasakthi and Antony's film would be titled Sakthi Thirumagan in the original Tamil version, and Parashakthi in the dubbed Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam versions and it would get a new title for the dubbed Telugu version. On 12 March 2025, it was announced that the dubbed Telugu version of Antony's film would be instead titled as Bhadrakali.
A few days later, however, National Pictures, producers of the 1952 film, disuaded anyone from using the title as they still held the full rights to it, and were planning on re-releasing the 1952 film remastered for its 75th anniversary.