The much-anticipated release of Sivakarthikeyan's Parasakthi has sparked a wave of mixed reactions and intense debate across social media and among early viewers. The film, which hit theaters on January 10, 2026, represents a significant departure from the actor's usual commercial fare, positioning itself as a serious socio-political manifesto.
A Departure from Commercial Formula
Directed by Sudha Kongara, Parasakthi boldly steps away from the high-energy, mass-entertainment template that currently dominates the Tamil film industry. Early reviews from the First Day First Show (FDFS) suggest the film adopts a more contemplative, arthouse style. This artistic choice, however, appears to have challenged the patience of a segment of the audience expecting a conventional star vehicle.
In an era defined by fast-paced narratives and guaranteed crowd-pleasing moments, Parasakthi's deliberate pacing and its focus on ideological discourse have created a clear divide. The film's attempt to deliver a powerful socio-political punch has, according to numerous initial takes, fallen short for many viewers who found the execution lacking the intended impact.
Social Media Erupts with Criticism
The immediate aftermath of the release saw Twitter become a battleground for opinions. Hashtags like #ParasakthiDisaster and #boycott_parasakthi began trending, reflecting a wave of negative sentiment from disappointed fans. Users shared memes and expressed their frustration, with some tweets bluntly calling the film a failure.
One user, @PAINT_DAPPA_, posted a critical tweet alongside the hashtags, while another, @OruPereVaralaru, echoed the sentiment by stating "Parasakthi disaster reviews everywhere." This online backlash highlights the gap between the film's ambitious vision and its reception by a portion of the core audience that follows Sivakarthikeyan's work.
What This Means for Sivakarthikeyan's Career
This project marks a bold attempt by Sivakarthikeyan to shed his comic-relief and boy-next-door image and venture into more substantive, issue-based cinema. The risk associated with such a stark genre shift is now evident in the polarized early feedback. While some may appreciate the actor's willingness to experiment, the vocal criticism indicates that the transition may not have been seamless for all his supporters.
The film's performance in the coming days will be crucial. It will determine whether Parasakthi finds its niche among audiences receptive to its arthouse sensibilities and political commentary, or if the initial social media uproar translates into a broader commercial setback. For now, the conversation around the film is dominated by its perceived failure to connect as a mass-audience drama, making it one of the most talked-about and contentious releases in early 2026.
