Amid Jana Nayagan Release Controversy, Parasakthi Stars Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Meet PM Modi

The cast and crew of Sivakarthikeyan and Jayam Ravi's upcoming Tamil film Parasakthi made headlines on Wednesday after they attended a grand Pongal celebration in New Delhi, hosted by Union Minister of State L Murugan. The festive gathering, which brought together several dignitaries, ministers, and prominent personalities of South Indian origin, also saw the team meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding political and cultural significance to the event.

Parasakthi, a film that revolves around the historic anti-Hindi agitation in Tamil Nadu, has already drawn attention for its sensitive political backdrop. With Tamil cinema currently witnessing heightened political undercurrents - particularly after actor Vijay launched his own political party - the event naturally became a platform for the media to seek reactions from the film's stars about the ongoing controversy surrounding Vijay's film Jana Nayagan.

Speaking to reporters after the Pongal celebration, Sivakarthikeyan struck a calm and conciliatory tone. Wishing people across the globe a happy Pongal, he emphasized unity and positivity among Tamilians. He downplayed the growing controversy, stating that there was no real issue as people were understanding things in the right spirit.

According to him, once audiences watch Parasakthi in its entirety, they will clearly grasp its intent. He stressed that the film was not meant to spread propaganda, and clarified that his personal respect for Vijay remained intact. Sivakarthikeyan also revealed that he had wished Vijay well for his political journey both privately and publicly, adding that Vijay's film would soon reach theatres.

Jayam Ravi, who was also present at the event, echoed similar sentiments. Calling it an honour to celebrate Pongal in the heart of the national capital, he described his meeting with Prime Minister Modi as memorable, saying the Prime Minister greeted them warmly and left a strong impression.

Ravi used the opportunity to remind people that cinema is primarily meant to entertain and should not be burdened with unnecessary political interpretations. In his view, audiences seek films as a form of escape from daily stress, and filmmakers should be allowed to deliver entertainment without being dragged into political debates. He also made it clear that he is a long-time admirer of Vijay and has always prayed for his success.

Adding a political and historical perspective to the discussion was BJP leader and actor R. Sarathkumar. He explained that Parasakthi is rooted in the 1965 anti-Hindi agitation in Tamil Nadu, a period when resistance emerged against attempts to impose Hindi as the sole official language. The film, he said, depicts the struggles and treatment faced by people during that turbulent phase.

Turning to the Jana Nayagan controversy, Sarathkumar defended the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), noting that it is an independent body with the authority to raise objections if it finds issues in any film. He argued that not everything in the country should be politicised and pointed out that even his own films have faced long delays in the past due to certification hurdles.

The controversy around Jana Nayagan has intensified in recent days. The film, touted to be actor Vijay's final project before he fully steps into politics, was initially scheduled to release on January 9 as a Pongal special. However, on January 6, the CBFC Chairperson decided to send the film to the Revising Committee, despite the Chennai regional office's Examining Committee agreeing to grant a U/A 16+ certificate with certain edits.

The producer approached the Madras High Court, and on January 9, a single-judge bench directed the CBFC to issue the certificate immediately. But the relief was short-lived. On the same day, the CBFC filed an urgent appeal before a division bench, which stayed the earlier order and postponed further hearing to January 20. With the legal battle intensifying, the Supreme Court is set to hear a plea seeking clearance for Jana Nayagan on January 15.