Parasakthi became one of the most talked about Tamil films of the year, largely due to the controversy surrounding its release. The film faced criticism and debate for its so-called strong anti-Hindi stand, with several groups calling it provocative. While the controversy created tension during its theatrical run, it also caused widespread curiosity among audiences.
After the film arrived on ZEE5, that curiosity turned into massive viewership. Many viewers who skipped the film in theatres chose to watch it on OTT to understand what the debate was all about. Social media discussions, opinion pieces, and word of mouth pushed more people to stream the film, helping it cross 100 million streaming minutes in a short period.
Directed by Sudha Kongara, the film is set in the 1960s and focuses on language identity and cultural pride. Sivakarthikeyan plays a student leader whose actions trigger a powerful movement. His performance, along with the strong theme, kept viewers engaged despite the serious tone.
The controversy ultimately worked in the film’s favour on OTT. Instead of limiting its reach, it widened the audience. Parasakthi’s success shows how debate and discussion can drive viewership, especially when audiences have easy access to watch and judge a film for themselves.