In a last-minute development that has brought relief to fans and the film's team, the much-anticipated Sivakarthikeyan-starrer Parasakthi has finally secured its censor certificate. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) granted the film a UA 16+ rating on January 9, just one day before its scheduled worldwide release on January 10, 2026.
A Tense Wait Ends for Pongal Release
The clearance comes after weeks of uncertainty that had put the film's planned Pongal festival release in jeopardy. The delay in obtaining the CBFC certificate had a direct impact on advance ticket sales, with major platforms like BookMyShow unable to open bookings in several regions until the certification was confirmed. The situation had raised industry-wide concerns, especially after Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan missed its January 9 release date.
Dawn Pictures, the film's production house, announced the news officially on social media on Friday, stating, "A fire that speaks to all ages. Parasakthi censored with a U/A—striking theatres worldwide from tomorrow." The certification details are now live on the official CBFC website, confirming the film's path to theatres.
Film Details and Director's Faith in the Process
Directed by Sudha Kongara, Parasakthi is a historical political action drama set in the 1960s. The film, which features Sreeleela, Ravi Mohan, and Atharvaa in pivotal roles, has a runtime of 2 hours and 42 minutes. Interestingly, the project was initially conceived with actor Suriya but was later revived with Sivakarthikeyan in the lead, officially announced in December 2024.
Amid the anxious wait for the certificate, director Sudha Kongara had previously expressed confidence in the CBFC's process. In an interview with Galatta Plus, she praised the board's democratic approach, noting that the revising committee's questions were fair and their method of allowing a film to "live and breathe" was reasonable.
Industry Reactions and Wider Implications
The delay prompted notable filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj to voice his concerns on social media. He highlighted the booking issues caused by the certificate delay for a big-budget film like Parasakthi and called for better streamlining and flexibility for large-scale releases, especially those with overseas commitments. He warned that last-minute postponements during crucial festival seasons could ultimately harm the entire film industry.
Meanwhile, the contrasting legal battle faced by Vijay's Jana Nayagan with the CBFC underscores the challenges filmmakers sometimes encounter. The Madras High Court had to intervene, ordering the board to issue a UA certificate after deeming some of its objections as "afterthoughts." Parasakthi's relatively smoother, albeit delayed, clearance allows it to capitalize on the prime Pongal 2026 box office window as planned.
With the censor certificate now in hand, theatres across the country and worldwide are expected to commence advance bookings immediately, setting the stage for Sivakarthikeyan's major theatrical release this festive season.
