Sat Jan 10 03:20:00 UTC 2026: ### Film ‘Parasakthi’ Faces Censor Board Cuts Due to Political Content

The Story: The upcoming film “Parasakthi,” starring Sivakarthikeyan and slated for release on Saturday, January 10th, faced significant hurdles with the censor board, resulting in over 20 changes and deletions. The alterations included references to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, specifically the phrases “‘Thee Paravattum’ (Let the fire spread)” and “Annadurai reigns this land.” This situation mirrors previous censorship issues faced by the film “Janayagan,” starring Vijay.

Key Points:

  • “Parasakthi” received a U/A certificate after suggested changes by the censor board.
  • The censor board objected to certain swear words and politically charged scenes and dialogues.
  • Specifically, the board requested the phrase “Thee Paravattum” be changed to “Needhi Paravattum” (Let justice spread).
  • The line, “He removes us and reigns this land,” referring to Annadurai, was ordered to be removed.
  • A scene depicting the burning of an effigy labeled “Hindi demon” was also censored, with instructions to change “Hindi demon” to simply “demon.”
  • “Thee Paravattum” is derived from a compilation of speeches by C.N. Annadurai in 1943, during debates on the relevance of epics like the Ramayana and Periya Puranam.
  • The film is set against the backdrop of the 1965 anti-Hindi imposition protests in Tamil Nadu.
  • The phrase “Annadurai reigns this land” is a modified version of Annadurai’s speech on December 1, 1968, regarding the renaming of Madras State to Tamil Nadu.
  • During the 1965 anti-Hindi protests, students in Coimbatore marched with an effigy labeled “Hindi demon.”

Key Takeaways:

  • The censor board’s actions highlight the sensitivity surrounding political figures and historical events in Tamil Nadu cinema.
  • The censorship of phrases and scenes reveals the ongoing relevance and potential for mobilization around Dravidian ideology, particularly concerning language politics.
  • The article illustrates how historical speeches and events are often adapted and reinterpreted in contemporary media, sometimes leading to censorship concerns.

Impact Analysis:

The censorship of “Parasakthi” could spark public debate regarding artistic freedom and the representation of historical events. This case may influence future film productions dealing with sensitive political or historical subject matter. The incident could also reignite discussions about the legacy of C.N. Annadurai and the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu politics and culture.

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