The fortunes of the upcoming Tamil period drama Parasakthi, starring Sivakarthikeyan, have received a significant boost ahead of its release. The film has secured a much larger number of screens across theatres, a direct benefit from the postponement of the highly anticipated film Jana Nayagan. This development solidifies Parasakthi's position as the biggest cinematic offering for the Pongal festival season of 2026.
A Last-Minute Green Light and Release Rush
Directed by Sudha Kongara, Parasakthi is finally set to hit screens on January 10, 2026, after navigating a path filled with obstacles. The most recent hurdle was cleared just a day before its scheduled release, when the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) granted the film a UA16+ certificate on Friday, January 9. This last-minute certification had temporarily stalled advance bookings for the movie.
Following the censor clearance, online ticketing platforms like BookMyShow opened advance sales post 3 pm on Friday. The film, which also features Ravi Mohan, Sreeleela, and Atharvaa in pivotal roles, is a period political drama set in the 1960s. Interestingly, the project was initially conceived with Suriya in the lead but was shelved. Director Sudha Kongara revived the script in 2024, recasting it with Sivakarthikeyan and officially announcing it in December of that year.
Screen Allocation Windfall and Box Office Context
The delay of a major competitor has directly translated into a screen allocation bonanza for Parasakthi. With Jana Nayagan out of the Pongal race, exhibitors have allocated a massive number of shows to the Sivakarthikeyan-starrer. In Chennai alone, the film has secured over 600 screenings, with the first show beginning as early as 9 am. Ticket pricing reflects the high demand, with rates in Chennai ranging from Rs 150 to Rs 300, and going up to Rs 500 in other major cities.
Carrying a substantial budget of approximately Rs 142 crore, Parasakthi now carries the weight of being the festival's flagship release. In terms of box office expectations, the film will aim to surpass Sivakarthikeyan's previous opening records. His career's biggest opener to date is Amaran, which collected Rs 21.4 crore on its first day. It is followed by Madharaasi (Rs 13.2 crore) and Seemaraja (Rs 11.44 crore).
What This Means for the Pongal Season
The sudden shift in the release landscape has created a clear window for Parasakthi to dominate the box office during the lucrative Pongal holiday period. The uncertainty around its own release date, now resolved, combined with a competitor's exit, has provided the film with an unexpected advantage. All eyes will now be on the audience's response to Sivakarthikeyan's foray into a serious period drama and whether the film can leverage its improved screen presence to set new opening records for the star.
The film's journey from a shelved Suriya project to a revived Sivakarthikeyan-led venture, culminating in this favourable release scenario, adds a layer of intrigue to its arrival. The industry will be closely watching its performance, which could influence strategic release decisions for big-budget Tamil films in the future.
