Salliyargal

Salliyargal
Theatrical release poster
Directed byT. Kittu
Written byT. Kittu
Produced byS. Karunaas
P. Karikalan
Starring
Music by
Production
company
Indian Cineway
Distributed byV House Productions
Release date
  • 1 January 2026 (2026-01-01)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Salliyargal is a 2026 Indian Tamil-language war film directed by T. Kittu of Methagu (2021) fame and starring Sathyadevi, Karunas, and Thirumurugan. The film was released on 1 January 2026, after three years of struggle in securing screens in theatres. The story is based on Tamil battlefield doctors during the Sri Lankan civil war.

Plot

Amidst the Sri Lankan civil war, heroic doctors toil in a hideout to treat both allies and foes. Despite facing peril, ethical quandaries and constant turmoil, their altruism remains steadfast.

Cast

Production

Production had started by January 2022, and the film had its audio launch held that November, while a press meet was held in December 2023.

Release

The film faced difficulties with distribution in Tamil Nadu. Its producer Suresh Kamatchi expressed his frustration about PVR ignoring this film by not allocating a single screen from its cluster of theatres in Tamil Nadu. Salliyargal was digitally released on the streaming service OTT Plus on 1 January 2026, and later on Aha Tamil.

Reception

A reviewer from News Today found it was "a heartfelt tribute to the doctors who chose humanity over hatred. With its emotionally rich writing and poetic dialogues". A critic of Dina Thanthi praised the film for its screenplay despite having predictable scenes and lauded director Kittu for capturing the hearts and minds of the Sri Lankan war and the struggle of the activists who provided medical treatment there, beyond the battlefields. Abhisudha of The Indian Express described the film as an emotional journey that touches the heart without being dramatic and praised the attempt to bring the reality to screen. RK Spark of Zee News praised the director for bringing to screen, the brave story of doctors – the forgotten heroes of the Sri Lanka civil war.

References

  1. ↑ "Karthik Subbaraj says it's "tough times for cinema" as he cites examples of Jana Nayagan and Salliyargal: 'Save art and cinema'". Cinema Express. 8 January 2026. Archived from the original on 1 February 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  2. ↑ "சல்லியர்கள் படம் 3 ஆண்டுக்கு பின் திரையரங்கில் அல்லாமல் நேரடியாக ஒடிடியில் வெளியானது ஏன்? தமிழ் சினிமாவில் என்ன நடக்கிறது?". BBC Online (in Tamil). 2 January 2026. Archived from the original on 6 January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "T Kittu's next is titled 'Salliyarkal', here's the first look poster". The Times of India. 15 January 2022. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  4. ↑ "சிங்கள ராணுவ வீரர் கதாபாத்திரத்தில் நடித்தவர் அழுதுவிட்டார் - சல்லியர்கள் பட பகிர்வுகள்". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). 27 November 2022. Archived from the original on 9 July 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "Salliyargal Movie Press Meet Stills". Chennai Online. 25 December 2023. Archived from the original on 9 July 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  6. ↑ "'You are killing cinema' – Support for Salliyargal as Eelam Tamil stories face exclusion". Tamil Guardian. 8 January 2026. Archived from the original on 12 January 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "சல்லியர்கள்: "வேறு மாநிலத்தின் மண் சார்ந்த படத்தைப் புறக்கணித்தால் என்னவாகும்?" - சுரேஷ் காமாட்சி". Cinema Vikatan (in Tamil). 2 January 2026. Archived from the original on 20 February 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  8. ↑ "Suresh Kamatchi hits back at PVR after being denied screens for Salliyargal: 'Who are they to decide?...'". Cinema Express. 2 January 2026. Archived from the original on 8 January 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  9. ↑ "தியேட்டர் தராததால் ஆத்திரம்... சல்லியர்கள் படத்தை ஓடிடி-யில் நேரடியாக ரிலீஸ் செய்தார் சுரேஷ் காமாட்சி". Asianet News (in Tamil). 2 January 2026. Archived from the original on 17 February 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  10. ↑ "Suresh Kamatchi-backed Salliyargal premieres on OTT after missing theatrical release". Cinema Express. 20 January 2026. Archived from the original on 27 February 2026. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  11. ↑ "Salliyargal – Review". News Today. 2 January 2026. Archived from the original on 3 January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  12. ↑ ""சல்லியர்கள்" திரைப்பட விமர்சனம்". Dina Thanthi (in Tamil). 2 January 2026. Archived from the original on 6 January 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  13. ↑ "OTT: பதுங்கு குழிகளில் மருத்துவ சிகிச்சை... போராட்டக்காரர்களின் வாழ்க்கை; 'சல்லியர்கள்' படத்தை எந்த ஓ.டி.டி-யில் பார்க்கலாம்?". The Indian Express (in Tamil). 2 January 2026. Archived from the original on 27 February 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  14. ↑ "சல்லியர்கள் படத்தின் திரை விமர்சனம்! படம் எப்படி உள்ளது?". Zee News (in Tamil). 2 January 2026. Archived from the original on 19 February 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.