National Film Awards 2025: Why Tamil film Parking ft MS Bhaskar and Harish Kalyan is a must watch on OTT

On Friday, the Government of India announced its 71stNational Film Awards list, and the 2023 Tamil film Parking made a remarkable feat by bagging three awards. This includes the Best Film in Tamil, Best Supporting Actor for MS Bhaskar, and Best Screenplay Writer for director Ramkumar Balakrishnan. A critically acclaimed film, Parking is available for streaming on JioHotstar via OTTplay Premium. If you have not watched the film so far, then this is the perfect time to watch the thriller drama with a unique screenplay.

Why National Film Award-winning Parking is a must watch on OTT

Parking, which released in December 2023, is helmed by director Ramkumar Balakrishnan in his debut. The film stars Harish Kalyan and MS Bhaskar in the lead roles. Available on JioHotstar to stream via OTTplay Premium, Parking bagged three National Film Awards at the 71st National Film Awards, including Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay Writer, and Best Film in Tamil.

Also read: 71st National Film Awards: Parking actor MS Bhaskar reacts to winning Best Supporting Actor Male | EXCLUSIVE

If you haven’t watched Parking yet, then this is the time you should visit it. The thriller drama film revolves around a young IT employee Eshwar and a much-older Ilamparuthi. As the latter lives on the ground floor, and had so far used the parking lot to his luxury, the young Eshwar's new purchase in form of car irks the man. The neighbours who kicked off on a friendly note, soon turn sour towards each other, as the parking lot becomes an issue of contention between the two.

What makes Parking a unique attempt is how it explores the male psyche and egoistic nature of individuals. The film attempts and smartly manages to show how trivial issues like in this case a parking lot is enough to trigger the animal within humans, and take them to the extent of extracting horrible revenge. Ramkumar Balakrishnan, who has written the film as well, smartly builds the tension building as it escalates to a new level with the two men competing against each other in terms of evilness. The film also rings in with a believability factor, and deep dives into the egoistic male psyche of men from different generations, without standing out as a sore thumb.

While Harish Kalyan flawlessly portrays the angry young man caught in a turmoil between his ego and self-respect, it is MS Bhaskar’s Ilamparuthi that comes out as a revelation. It is no new fact that MS Bhaskar is a prolific actor whose contribution to cinema in supporting roles, have shaped up his career. But as an old Ilamparuthi, who is tripped by ego more often, and realising its effects, to seek redemption, the veteran outdoes himself in the most spectacular way. At times when Tamil cinema mostly concentrates on protagonists who are young and thriving, Parking makes a refreshing take by showing a much-older man significantly contributing to the story. Undoubtedly, it is both Harish Kalyan and MS Bhaskar who shoulder Parking, a film which is done intricately, honestly, and refreshingly.

What is Parking director’s next film?

Ramkumar signed his sophomore directorial starring actor Silambarasan in the lead role. Tentatively called STR 49, the film also stars Santhanam and Kayadu Lohar. It is produced by Dawn Pictures and has music by Sai Abhyankkar.

FAQs

Q. Who are Parking movie National Film Award winners?

A. Parking won three awards at 71st National Film Awards, including Best Tamil Film, Best Supporting Actor for MS Bhaskar, and Best Screenplay for director Ramkumar Balakrishnan.

Q. Who all are part of cast of 2023 film Parking?

A. Harish Kalyan and MS Bhaskar play the lead roles in Parking along with Indhuja Ravichandran, Rama Rajendra, Ilavarasu.

Q. What is Parking movie story?

A. Parking is explores the male egoistic psyche of two men who fight over a parking lot.