Parasakthi reflects how personal lives are shaped by social movements, reveals Sudha Kongara

Director Sudha Kongara has opened up in detail about Parasakthi, describing the film as far more than a political drama. According to her, while the narrative is set against a major socio-political movement, the emotional core of the film lies in the relationship between brothers and how personal lives are inevitably shaped by larger social events.

Set in Madurai, Parasakthi follows two brothers with contrasting ideologies. Sivakarthikeyan plays a government employee, while Atharvaa portrays an engineering student. Their differing worldviews lead to conflicts and clashes, mirroring the ideological tensions of the time. The story also weaves in a love track with Sreeleela, who plays the daughter of a minister living in the opposite house. Sudha Kongara explained that the film explores how the lives of these three characters intersect and evolve, highlighting the idea that one cannot live in society thinking only about personal or family interests.

Calling Parasakthi a concept-driven film set in the 1960s, the filmmaker said the story draws heavily from history. Structured by Madhimaran, the script demanded extensive research, including interactions with people who lived through that era. Sudha Kongara cited personal inspirations as well, noting her mother’s medical studies during that period and her grandfather’s role as a freedom fighter. “Who is Parasakthi?” she asked rhetorically, answering that it represents students and youth across India, capable of change when they come together.

Speaking about the cast, Sudha Kongara recalled narrating the story to Sivakarthikeyan, who immediately committed to the project and even underwent a physical transformation for the role. She described Ravi Mohan’s casting as a surprise, praising his willingness to shed heroic trappings for a fresh character. She also lauded Atharvaa’s sincerity and preparation, while calling Sreeleela a revelation, noting her effort to learn Tamil and her strong rebellious presence on screen.

The director also emphasized the film’s authenticity, revealing that real locations were used extensively, including a steam train sequence that plays a crucial role. She highlighted an intense confrontation scene between Sivakarthikeyan and Ravi Mohan, shot with raw emotional honesty.

As part of its promotions, “The World of Parasakthi”, a special immersive experience, is set to be premiered from 5PM onwards today (Dec 18th) at Valluvar Kottam, offering audiences a deeper look into the film’s universe. Parasakthi is gearing up for a grand Pongal release on January 14th.