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Who earns the most on The Great Indian Kapil Show? Archana Puran Singh reveals

Archana Puran Singh, a longtime fixture on The Great Indian Kapil Show, recently addressed a question that often intrigues fans, who is the highest-paid star on the popular comedy programme. Speaking candidly in a vlog featuring her son, Archana clarified that despite being one of the most recognisable faces on the show, she is not the top earner. According to her, that title clearly belongs to comedian and host Kapil Sharma. Archana Puran Singh spills the beans Known for her signature laughter and lively reactions, Archana has played a key role in shaping the show’s entertaining atmosphere. Her chemistry with Kapil and the rest of the cast has remained a highlight for viewers over the years. However, she openly acknowledged that the financial structure of the show places Kapil at the top, largely because he is not only the host but also the driving creative force behind the programme. The Great Indian Kapil Show, currently streaming on a major platform, continues to enjoy strong popularity and has built a loyal audience across seasons. While several talented comedians and celebrity guests contribute to its success, Kapil’s central presence and brand value reportedly make him the highest-paid member of the team. Industry buzz has long suggested that his per-episode fee is significantly higher than that of his co-stars, reinforcing his status as one of India’s most successful television comedians. All about The Great Indian Kapil Show Archana, meanwhile, remains an essential part of the show and is believed to earn a substantial amount per episode, even if it does not match Kapil’s paycheck. Her consistent presence and ability to engage with guests and performers ensure she remains among the important contributors to the series. The revelation came in a lighthearted setting, reflecting Archana’s trademark humour and straightforward personality. Rather than framing the pay difference as a concern, she appeared comfortable acknowledging the hierarchy, understanding the scale of Kapil’s responsibilities and popularity. Fans have responded positively to her honesty, with many appreciating her grounded attitude. The conversation has once again highlighted the strong dynamic between Archana and Kapil, a partnership that continues to entertain audiences and play a major role in the enduring success of the comedy show.

06 February,2026 09:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Vijay

'Lost peace': Vijay’s neighbours struggle with heavy crowd before elections

Ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, actor-turned-politician Vijay is drawing massive public attention, but the surge in supporters has created unrest in his otherwise quiet and upscale neighbourhood in Panaiyur. Residents living near the office of his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), have complained about losing their peace due to the constant influx of volunteers, fans, and party workers gathering in the area. Neighbours file a complaint The situation escalated recently when thousands reportedly assembled outside the party office to collect nomination forms and take part in pre-election activities. Streets along the busy East Coast Road (ECR) were heavily congested, with vehicles stuck in long queues and pedestrians struggling to move freely. Residents say daily life has been significantly disrupted, with noise, traffic jams, and heavy police presence becoming a regular occurrence. Several locals expressed frustration, stating that they chose the neighbourhood for its calm environment but now feel overwhelmed by the crowds and barricades. Some claimed they are unable to step out comfortably or carry on with routine activities due to the constant commotion. Visuals shared with regional media reportedly showed packed streets and authorities attempting to manage the swelling gatherings. Concerned residents have indicated that if the situation continues, the local welfare association may step in to raise the matter more formally with authorities. Their primary demand is better crowd control and planning to ensure that political mobilisation does not come at the cost of residents’ quality of life. Vijay's political debut Vijay’s political debut has generated enormous curiosity across Tamil Nadu. After years of commanding a loyal fan base through his film career, his transition into politics has naturally attracted supporters eager to be part of the movement. Large turnouts at party-related events reflect this enthusiasm, though whether it will translate into electoral success remains to be seen. The developments in Panaiyur highlight the challenges that often accompany celebrity-led political campaigns. While the growing support underscores Vijay’s popularity, it also raises questions about infrastructure, security, and civic balance in residential zones. As election season gathers momentum, effectively managing crowds while respecting community spaces is likely to become an important test for both the party and local authorities.

06 February,2026 09:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Lenin Bharathi; Rajinikanth with sanitation worker

Lenin Bharathi slams Rajinikanth, calls him 'fake philanthropist'

Superstar Rajinikanth recently won hearts by his generous act of meeting a Chennai sanitation worker, Padma and gifting her a gold chain for her honesty. As the news spread, many praised the actor for his gesture; however, it looks like the act has not gone well with director Lenin Bharathi, who sharply criticised the Coolie actor and called him a ‘fake philanthropist.' Lenin Bharathi calls out Rajinikanth Lenin took to X and shared one of the pictures shared by Rajinikanth’s team, in which the superstar is seen hugging Padma, dressed in her worker uniform. Along with the picture, he wrote in Tamil, “Where were you, rajinikanth, all those times when the sanitation workers were protesting for their rights at the entrance of the Ripon Building? Will you identify them only by their uniforms to showcase your so-called generosity, you fake philanthropist?” Lenin was referring to the 2025 protests outside Ripon Building, which is the seat and headquarters of the Greater Chennai Corporation in Chennai. துப்பரவு தொழிலாளர்கள் தங்கள் உரிமைகளுக்காக ரிப்பன் பில்டிங் வாசலில் போராடிக்கொண்டிருந்த போதெல்லாம் எங்கு இருந்தீர்கள் @rajinikanth அவர்களே.. உங்கள் பெருதன்மை வெங்காயத்தைக் காட்ட அவர்களை சீருடையோடுதான் அடையாளப்படுத்துவீர்களா போலி கொடை வள்ளல்களே.. pic.twitter.com/hi79coMVIh — leninbharathi (@leninbharathi1) February 3, 2026 For the unversed, Rajinikanth met Padma at his Poes Garden home on Tuesday and gifted her a gold chain. Padma reportedly works as a sanitation worker in T Nagar, where she discovered an unclaimed pouch containing 45 sovereigns of gold ornaments. She instantly informed her superiors, followed by handing the gold over to the police station, and ensuring it reached the rightful owners. Rajinikanth had invited her to his home to laud her for her honesty. Netizens react Lenin’s post left the internet divided. While many Rajinikanth’s fans came to the superstar's defence, others acknowledged that the filmmaker was right. A fan on X wrote, “Trying too hard to find mistakes on others, is not a great habit sir.” Similarly, another fan defended him, saying, “That should be done by the government or politicians. It's not his job.” Meanwhile, another user noted, “As always, we are expecting a movie star to be a saviour and beacon of hope.” On the other hand, many backed Lenin. A Redditor wrote, “Bro Lenin is not asking Rajini to call out the government. He's just exposing his fakeness as a philanthropist,” while another criticised Rajinikanth, saying, “Bro made a photoshoot with the context of showing his generosity to a sanitary worker, where actual sanitary workers' rights are at question.”  Lenin has directed the 2018 film Merku Thodarchi Malai, which was produced by Vijay Sethupathi. The film circles around the life and times of a group of landless workers living along the foothills of the Western Ghats in India. 

06 February,2026 08:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
SS Rajamouli

Varanasi: SS Rajamouli confirms Ramayana connection in Mahesh Babu's film

Filmmaker SS Rajamouli's much-awaited magnum opus, Varanasi, is one of the most anticipated films. Despite being more than a year away from release, the film has already garnered a sizable portion of fans who are eagerly awaiting the Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra starrer. The striking teaser of the film, which was released last year, has further heightened the anticipation. Amid this, the filmmaker has now shared more insights into the project.  SS Rajamouli reveals Varanasi has a Ramayana connection Rajamouli has confirmed that Varanasi draws inspiration from the epic Ramayana. He also expressed his confidence that the story will resonate even with the audience who are unfamiliar with the epic. While talking to Polygon, the director revealed, “All my films are inspired by the epics of (Lord) Rama. In this film, I have a chance to actually take an actual episode from the Ramayana itself and present it in this way." Further addressing the concerns that audiences would need prior knowledge of Ramayana to make sense of the film, the Baahubali director stated that accessibility remains his responsibility as a storyteller. “It is my job to make you not feel lost, to make the film in such a way that it’s not taxing your mind. You might not understand the whole story of Rama, but there is no need to. If you understand the emotions of the characters, you’ll understand what is happening," he said. SS Rajamouli also revealed that the film’s central emotional setting revolves around the relationship between a father and son, reflecting the bond between Rama and King Dasharatha. Speaking about the evolving dynamic between Rudra, portrayed by Mahesh Babu, and Mandakini, a mysterious thief portrayed by Priyanka Chopra, he shared, “It’s so endearing and relatable. Even when the canvas is gigantic, it’s these emotions that people will resonate with." About Varanasi Varanasi also stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and is being described as one of Rajamouli’s most ambitious ventures to date. The film is reportedly being shot for IMAX and hence promises a visual scale unlike anything else attempted before. Varanasi is expected to release theatrically on April 7, 2027.

06 February,2026 07:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Valai Poster

Atharvaa Murali's film with Jeeva Sankar titled Valai, teaser out

The makers of director Jeeva Sankar's upcoming revenge thriller, featuring Atharvaa Murali in the lead, on Friday announced that their film had been titled Valai, much to the delight of fans and film buffs. Actor Vijay Sethupathi took to his X timeline to release the film's eagerly awaited official teaser on Friday. The actor wrote, "Launching the Teaser of VALAI. Wishes to Atharvaamurali JeevaSankar and the entire cast and crew. RaadhuInfo ProductionNo1." Launching the Teaser of #VALAI ⚓️Wishes to @Atharvaamurali @JeevaSankar and the entire cast and Crew. @RaadhuInfo #ProductionNo1🔗 https://t.co/eZtylqDg6C@vanibhojanoffl @TheRupaManjari #MuraliSharma #PepsiVSBalamurali@GhibranVaibodha @editorsuriya @gopiprasannaa… pic.twitter.com/nOK9bLfxBI — VijaySethupathi (@VijaySethuOffl) February 6, 2026 The film's teaser shows that Atharvaa Murali will be portraying two characters in the film. While the first character he portrays is called Kutty, the second character is called Saraa in the film. Both characters appear to be sea farers.The gripping teaser also gives a glimpse of the roles that actors Rupa Manjari, Vani Bhojan, Murali Sharma and Aadukalam Naren play in the film. It is evident from the teaser that the film is a revenge thriller. The teaser ends with a voiceover stating that if a decision to take revenge is made, two pits must be dug. One is for your enemy while the other is for you. The film has triggered huge expectations among fans and filmbuffs. Rupa Manjari and Vani Bhojan play the female leads in this film, which also has Murali Sharma, Aadukalam Naren and Jayaprakash playing pivotal roles. Apart from these actors, the film will also feature Arjai, Arul D. Shankar, Thulasi, Mayilsamy and Imman Annachi among others. Produced by Pepsi V.S. Balamurali on behalf of the production house Raadhu Infotainment, the film has music by well known music director Ghibran. Cinematography for the film is by the director Jeeva Sankar himself. Editing for the film is by Sathish Suriya and art direction is by Shanmugaraja. Gopi Prasannaa has served as the production designer of this film, the stunts of which have been choreographed by Stunner Sam. Lyrics for the songs in the film have been penned by Karthik Netha, Mohanraj and Vamanaa. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

06 February,2026 03:29 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Still from Toxic

Dil Raju acquires distribution rights for Toxic in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana

Yash's Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has stormed into the record books, rewriting the rules of pan-Indian cinema even before its theatrical release. In a deal poised to send shockwaves across the industry, Sri Venkateswara Creations (SVC), led by Dil Raju, has acquired the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana distribution rights for a staggering Rs 120 crore (advance on commission basis), officially marking it as the biggest acquisition ever for a non-Telugu origin film. Dil Raju secures Toxic distribution rights  The landmark deal between the makers of Toxic (KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations) and SVC further cements the film as one of the most anticipated cinematic spectacles, underlining the extraordinary confidence the trade has in the film’s scale, appeal, and box-office potential. With three major contenders aggressively vying for the AP–TG rights, SVC ultimately emerged victorious, sealing what is now being hailed as one of the most defining distribution deals in recent Indian cinema. Dil Raju of Sri Venkateswara Creations, said, “Yash stands as a formidable titan of Indian cinema, and post KGF 2, his market has only grown stronger across the world. The audience’s anticipation for his next after KGF 2 has been building for a while now. With a four-year wait, the buzz and expectations around this film are massive. We at SVC are stoked to present this prestigious project and hope to continue collaborating with Yash on many more films” The chaos is beginning to unfold. Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups arrives in theaters across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana through @SVCReleaseIntoxicating the world from 19-03-2026.#DaddyIsHome #ToxicTheMovie#TOXIConMarch19th @TheNameIsYash#Nayanthara@humasqureshi… pic.twitter.com/1uB4RbQ9sg — KVN Productions (@KvnProductions) February 6, 2026 The partnership with Sri Venkateswara Creations further reinforces the film’s positioning. Led by Dil Raju, the banner is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and trusted forces in Indian cinema, with a legacy built on National Award–winning films and multiple blockbuster successes. SVC’s association reflects strong confidence in Toxic’s content, scale, and long-term theatrical potential—especially in the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana market, a region known for its deep-rooted love for cinema and its stature as one of the industry’s most influential and vibrant territories. For audiences and fans, this alliance sets expectations soaring—from massive theatrical reach and high-visibility promotions to a big-screen experience crafted to be larger than life.  About Toxic Written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has been simultaneously shot in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and several other languages, underscoring the film’s global ambition. The film boasts a formidable technical lineup, with National Award-winning cinematographer Rajeev Ravi behind the lens, music composed by Ravi Basrur, editing by Ujwal Kulkarni, and production design by TP Abid. The action sequences are mounted on a grand scale, choreographed by Hollywood action director JJ Perry (John Wick), alongside National Award-winning action directors Anbariv and Kecha Khamphakdee. Produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under the banners of KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, Toxic is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on 19 March 2026, strategically coinciding with Eid, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa- solidifying its status as a major cinematic event.

06 February,2026 03:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Anju Krishna

Malayalam film actress among 8 arrested by Anti-narcotics cell in Tamil Nadu

On Thursday, the Anti-Narcotic Intelligence Unit (NAIU) made a major drug bust in Valasaravakkam. The unit arrested eight people, including a Malayalam actress and a filmmaker. Among those taken into custody were actress Anju Krishna and assistant director Vincy Nivetha. Police seize drugs from gang According to a report in The Times of India, the police seized methamphetamine and ganja from the group. The operation was carried out after the unit received a tip-off and conducted a raid in the area. All eight accused have been taken into police custody, and due legal procedures are being followed, the report stated. How the police busted the group As per the report, Inspector Johnny Chellappan from the ANIU South team first apprehended a 33-year-old man named Vigneshwaran, a resident of Nesapakkam. During questioning, Vigneshwaran allegedly revealed that he had procured the drugs from Venkatesh Kumar, a 31-year-old resident of Kovur near Porur. Following this, the police set up a trap and sent a fake customer to meet the supplier and bring him to a spot. When Venkatesh Kumar’s car arrived at a designated landmark in Valasaravakkam in Tamil Nadu, the police intercepted the vehicle and conducted a thorough search. Narcotic substances were allegedly found, following which Venkatesh Kumar and others present at the spot were arrested. According to the report, the police seized six grams of methamphetamine, seven grams of OG ganja, fifteen grams of ganja, a smoking bong, a stamp, and nine mobile phones. The seized items were handed over to the concerned authorities, and the accused were produced before a magistrate. The court subsequently remanded them to judicial custody for further investigation. Who Is Anju Krishna? Anju Krishna is a moderately popular Malayalam actress who has appeared in films such as Aaro and Akasham Kadann. She also acted in the Tamil film Vellimala, directed by Om Vijay. In Aaro, directed by Kareem and written by Kareem along with Rasheed Parakkal, Joju George played the lead role, while Anju Krishna essayed an important character. The police also arrested Vincy Nivetha, an assistant director working in the Tamil film industry. Officials stated that she was present with the group at the time of the arrest.

06 February,2026 02:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Picture Courtesy/Djio Jose Antony's Instagram Account

It's a wrap for Tovino Thomas' Pallichattambi, director shares BTS pics

Director Dijo Jose Antony has now announced that the shooting of his upcoming big budget Malayalam action entertainer, Pallichattambi, featuring actor Tovino Thomas in the lead, has come to a close. Taking to his Instagram page to post a pictures from the places they had shot, the director wrote, "From the first shot in Thodupuzha, to the final patch shoot across states, the long road of Pallichattambi comes to an end today. A beautiful journey of hard work finally crosses the finish line. See you in theatres on April 09, 2026. Love from Team Pallichattambi. PallichattambiMovie April09_2026 DijoJoseAntony."           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Dijo Jose Antony (@dijojoseantony) The film has triggered huge expectations among fans and film buffs. It may be recalled that only last Monday, the makers released the first look poster of actress Kayadu Lohar in the film. For the unaware, Kayadu Lohar, who shot to fame with her fine performance in the Tamil blockbuster film Dragon, plays the female lead in this film along with Tovino Thomas. Actor Tovino Thomas, who took to his Instagram page to share the first look poster of Kayadu Lohar in the film, wrote, "And then, there was love... Love for a character, for a world, and for the soul of Pallichattambi! Worldwide release on April 9, 2026. PallichattambiMovie April09_2026 DijoJoseAntony TovinoThomas KayaduLohar JakesBejoy." The makers of the film have already announced that the film would hit screens worldwide on April 9 this year. Produced under the banners of World Wide Films and C Qube Bros Entertainments, Pallichattambi will seek to present actor Tovino Thomas in a never-before-seen look. Sources close to the unit of the film have disclosed that the story of the film is set in the 1950s-60s period. The film is being produced by Noufal and Brijeesh under the World Wide Films banner, along with Chanukya Chaithanya Charan under the C Qube Bros Entertainments banner. The film is being released in five languages, including Malayalam. The cast will also include Vijayaraghavan, Sudheer Karamana, Baburaj, Vinod Kedamangalam, Prashanth Alexander, and several other prominent actors. On the technical front, the film's script has been penned by S Suresh Babu. Its cinematography has been handled by Tijo Tomy, while its music has been composed by Mollywood’s music sensation Jakes Bejoy. Editing is by Sreejith Sarang, and production design is by Dileep Nath. Meghasyam and Thanzeer have served as the associate producers of the film, which has its costumes designed by Manjusha Radhakrishnan. Renit Raj and Kiran Raphael have worked as the chief associate directors in this film, the sound design of which is by Sync Cinema. Art direction for the film is by Rajesh Menon and casting is by Binoy Nambala. 

06 February,2026 01:02 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu

Chiranjeevi's Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu announces OTT release

After setting the box office on fire this Sankranthi, the Telugu blockbuster Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu is all set to make its grand digital debut on ZEE5 on February 11th. The platform has acquired the exclusive digital rights of the Chiranjeevi–Nayanthara starrer, which has emerged as one of the biggest successes of the season. As announced earlier during the Sankranthi campaign, the film will stream on ZEE5 from across all languages available on the platform, ensuring massive reach among Telugu diaspora and South Asian audiences globally. Written and directed by Anil Ravipudi, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu features Megastar Chiranjeevi in a powerful yet endearing avatar, alongside Venkatesh Daggubati, Nayanthara and Catherine Tresa. This family entertainer is deeply rooted in emotion, humour and relationships, while also delivering edge-of-the-seat drama. Blending action, comedy, emotion and family drama, the film follows a national security officer’s (Chiranjeevi) journey to protect his estranged family while rediscovering love, responsibility, and redemption. With Chiranjeevi’s enduring screen legacy and Nayanthara’s wide appeal across the country, the film found strong resonance with audiences during its theatrical run. Chiranjeevi and Nayanthara on film's OTT release Speaking about the digital premiere, Chiranjeevi said, “Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu is a film that celebrates family, relationships and resilience, all wrapped in entertainment. The love the audience has shown us in theatres has been truly overwhelming. I’m happy that through ZEE5, the film will now reach even more viewers across languages and countries. It’s always special when a story travels beyond cinemas and becomes a part of people’s homes.” Nayanthara added, “This film has a beautiful emotional core along with humour and action, and that balance is what makes it special. Working with Chiranjeevi garu and the entire team was a wonderful experience. I’m excited that audiences who may have missed it in theatres can now watch Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu on ZEE5 and enjoy the journey from the comfort of their homes.” Venkatesh on working with Chiranjeevi Venkatesh Daggubati said, “What I love about Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu is how it blends large-scale entertainment with heartfelt relationships. Working with Chiranjeevi garu for the first time made this journey even more special. I’m glad the film is now reaching audiences worldwide through ZEE5 in multiple languages, allowing families everywhere to experience its emotion, humour and drama together.” Director Anil Ravipudi added, “This film was designed as a complete family entertainer, something rooted in emotions, laughter and thrilling moments. The theatrical response has been extremely encouraging, and I believe the story will connect even more strongly on OTT. With ZEE5 streaming it across all languages, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu will now reach homes across markets and cultures, which is truly exciting for us as creators.” The film will be available for streaming on ZEE5 from February 11 in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Marathi and Bengali languages. 

06 February,2026 12:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Malayalam actor Maniyanpilla Raju

Malayalam actor Maniyanpilla Raju booked in hit-and-run case

Two youngsters were seriously injured after their motorcycle collided with a car driven by Malayalam film actor Maniyanpilla Raju in Thiruvananthapuram. The late-night accident occurred on the Vellayambalam–Vazhuthakkad road, following which the actor allegedly left the scene. Police have registered a case and are probing the incident. About the accident Two youngsters suffered serious injuries after the motorcycle they were riding collided with a car driven by film actor Maniyanpilla Raju here, police said on Friday. The injured were identified as Sooraj (20) and Nidev (20), residents of Thiruvananthapuram. According to Museum police, the accident occurred around 9.30 pm on Thursday in front of the Trivandrum Club on the Vellayambalam–Vazhuthakkad road. Police said Raju, after attending an event at Subrahmanium Hall, was entering the Vellayambalam–Vazhuthakkad road when his car hit the motorcycle. However, the actor did not stop the vehicle and left the scene without attending to the injured, police said. People who gathered at the spot rushed the duo to a hospital, and both suffered multiple fractures, police said. A case has been registered against the driver of the car for rash driving, negligent act endangering life, and refusing to attend to a person injured in an accident, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act. Maniyanpilla Raju records statement Police, following a preliminary probe, confirmed that the vehicle was driven by Raju. The actor appeared at the Museum police station on Friday morning and told reporters that a motorcycle hit his car, which will be confirmed after CCTV footage from the area is examined. “I was driving the car slowly to cross the road when the motorcycle hit the vehicle. I heard a noise and saw someone falling down. After leaving the place, I contacted a person and asked him to arrange an ambulance,” he said. He confirmed that the car was driven by him and that he left the scene due to his health condition. “I am a cancer patient and have now been diagnosed with chikungunya. Also, my wife was alone at home,” he said. Raju said he had contacted the police and informed them of his inability to appear at night. “I told them that I would appear in the morning. The vehicle will be surrendered to the police,” he added. (With inputs from PTI)

06 February,2026 11:08 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Siva Karthikeyan in Parasakthi

Siva Karthikeyan's Parasakthi set for OTT release on February 7, read more

ZEE5 is set to premiere the much-anticipated political action drama Parasakthi from February 7, 2026. Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Sudha Kongara and produced by Aakash Bhaskaran under the banner of Dawn Pictures, the film brings to life a powerful chapter from Tamil Nadu’s socio-political history.  Parasakthi plot  Set against the backdrop of the 1965 Anti-Hindi Imposition agitation, Parasakthi explores themes of identity, self-respect, and resistance through an emotionally charged narrative of two brothers drawn into a defining movement of their time. The film stars Sivakarthikeyan in a compelling lead role as Chezhiyan, a principled young man who becomes deeply involved in the agitation opposing the imposition of Hindi as an official language. Sharing her vision behind the film, Director Sudha Kongara added, “Parasakthi was born out of a deep desire to tell a story about dignity, language, and the power of collective awakening. This isn’t just a political movement; it’s about how ordinary lives are affected when identity is questioned. I’m grateful that ZEE5 is taking this story to a global audience that understands the importance of voices, cultures, and histories being heard.” The cast speak about the film Siva Karthikeyan said, “Chezhiyan is one of the most intense and meaningful characters I’ve portrayed. He represents conviction, courage, and the responsibility of standing up for what truly matters. Parasakthi challenged me as an actor and as an individual, and I’m proud that audiences will now experience this journey on ZEE5.” Sreeleela said, “Parasakthi marks a very special milestone for me. Ratnamala is a character driven by quiet strength and empathy and being part of a story with such cultural and historical significance has been an honour. I’m thankful to Sudha ma’am and the entire team for trusting me with this role.” Elaborating on the film’s tone and storytelling, the actress emphasised its realism and the director’s distinctive vision. “This film is very real. Sudha ma’am is someone who brings real stories and cinematic brilliance together. So being a part of something like that felt very special,” she added. Sudha Kongara, known for blending emotional depth with powerful narratives, has often been praised for crafting stories that resonate beyond the screen, and Parasakthi appears to continue that tradition. Witness a stirring tale of resistance, brotherhood, and identity when Parasakthi premieres on ZEE5 from February 7.

05 February,2026 07:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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