Parasakthi is a 1952 Tamil drama film directed by Krishnan-Panju, which sparked a revolution and ushered in a new era in Tamil cinema. Based on a play of the same name by M.S. Balasundaram, the brilliant penmanship of M. Karunanidhi breathes life into the story. Set in the backdrop of WWII, the story revolves around a family that is struck by misfortunes. The film stirred controversy for its anti-establishment and anti-casteist views, and is still considered one of the most controversial in Tamil film history, being the first to criticize social evils including poverty, rich-poor divide in a capitalist society, violence against women, casteism, abuse of privilege, and the first to focus on women’s rights and empowerment. It was also the debut of legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan, whose exceptional talent remains unchallenged in the industry to date. The climax court scene is famous for its blazing dialogues on social justice eloquently delivered by Ganesan.

The part where Vimala opens Gunasekaran’s eyes to the inequalities in society is a personal favourite. In other words, this was the film screaming the fact that apoliticism is a privilege.

With its powerfully mellifluous songs that speak both to the mind and heart intertwined with the soul-stirring performance of every character, Parasakthi is a cinematic masterpiece, a literary delight and a scathing political statement in itself.

Where did the evolution of Tamil cinema go wrong? Normalization and glorification of hypermasculinity, objectification of women, rape culture, colourism – reflecting a problematic bigger picture in reality.

Seven decades on, India is pinned as the least safe country for women in the world (Thomson Reuters Foundation, 2018), plagued by violence on the grounds of religion and caste, with a significant percentage of the population continuing to live in poverty.