{{Short description|2026 Tamil-language independent drama film by T.Kittu}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox film | image = Salliyargal.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = T. Kittu | writer = T. Kittu | producer = S. Karunaas<br />P. Karikalan | starring = {{ubl |Karunas |Sathya Devi |Thirumurugan }} | music = {{ubl |Ken Karunas |Easwar }} | studio = Indian Cineway | distributor = V House Productions | released = {{Film date|2026|01|01|df=y}} | runtime = 107 minutes | country = India | language = Tamil }}
'''''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 year of struggle in securing screens in theaters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-08 |title=Karthik Subbaraj says it's "tough times for cinema" as he cites examples of Jana Nayagan and Salliyargal: 'Save art and cinema' |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2026/Jan/08/karthik-subbaraj-says-its-tough-times-for-cinema-as-he-cites-examples-of-jana-nayagan-and-salliyargal-save-art-and-cinema |access-date=2026-01-15 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> The story is based on Tamil battle field 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 == {{Cast listing| *Sathyadevi *Karunas *Thirumurugan as army commander *Janaki *Mahendran as Dr. Sembian *Nagaraj *Priya *Anand Sounderarajan *Mohan *Santhosh }}
== Production == Production had started by January 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-02 |title=சல்லியர்கள் படம் 3 ஆண்டுக்கு பின் திரையரங்கில் அல்லாமல் நேரடியாக ஒடிடியில் வெளியானது ஏன்? தமிழ் சினிமாவில் என்ன நடக்கிறது? |url=https://www.bbc.com/tamil/articles/cvgdlzy7edro |access-date=2026-01-06 |website=BBC News தமிழ் |language=ta |archive-date=2026-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260106040205/https://www.bbc.com/tamil/articles/cvgdlzy7edro |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-01-15 |title=T Kittu's next is titled 'Salliyarkal', here's the first look poster |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/t-kittus-next-is-titled-salliyarkal-heres-the-first-look-poster/articleshow/88916055.cms |access-date=2026-01-06 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The film stars Karunas but faced difficulties with distribution in Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Salliyargal' Released on OTT in Protest Against Theatres |url=http://www.indiaherald.com/Breaking/Read/994871826/Salliyargal-Released-on-OTT-in-Protest-Against-Theatres |access-date=2026-01-06 |website=indiaherald.com |language=en}}</ref> Its producer Suresh Kamatchi expressed his frustration about PVR ignoring this film by not allocating a single screen from its cluster of theaters in Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Salliyars: "PVR is ignoring stories rooted in Tamil culture" - Producer Suresh Kamatchi – Vikatan |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/kollywood/producer-suresh-kamatchi-talk-about-salliyargal-could-not-get-a-theatre-release |access-date=2026-01-06 |website=vikatan.com |language=ta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-02 |title=Suresh Kamatchi hits back at PVR after being denied screens for Salliyargal: 'Who are they to decide?...' |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2026/Jan/02/suresh-kamatchi-hits-back-at-pvr-after-being-denied-screens-for-salliyargal-who-are-they-to-decide |access-date=2026-01-15 |website=Cinema Express |language=en |archive-date=2026-01-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108165629/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2026/Jan/02/suresh-kamatchi-hits-back-at-pvr-after-being-denied-screens-for-salliyargal-who-are-they-to-decide |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Release == ''Salliyargal'' was digitally released on ''OTT Plus'' platform on 1 January 2026<ref>{{Cite web |title=தியேட்டர் தராததால் ஆத்திரம்... சல்லியர்கள் படத்தை ஓடிடி-யில் நேரடியாக ரிலீஸ் செய்தார் சுரேஷ் காமாட்சி |url=https://tamil.asianetnews.com/gallery/cinema/salliyargal-movie-skip-theatres-and-directly-release-on-ott-yuua41z |access-date=2026-01-15 |website=Asianet News |language=ta}}</ref> and later on ''Aha Tamil'' platform.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-20 |title=Suresh Kamatchi-backed Salliyargal premieres on OTT after missing theatrical release |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2026/Jan/20/suresh-kamatchi-backed-salliyargal-premieres-on-ott-after-missing-theatrical-release |access-date=2026-01-20 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>
== 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".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-02 |title=Salliyargal – Review |url=https://newstodaynet.com/2026/01/02/salliyargal-review/ |access-date=2026-01-06 |website=News Today |language=en |archive-date=2026-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260103214442/https://newstodaynet.com/2026/01/02/salliyargal-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A critic of ''Daily 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2026 |title="சல்லியர்கள்" திரைப்பட விமர்சனம் |url=https://www.dailythanthi.com/cinema/movie-review/salliyargal-movie-review-in-tamil-1198286 |website=www.dailythanthi.com |access-date=January 15, 2026 |archive-date=January 6, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260106215205/https://www.dailythanthi.com/cinema/movie-review/salliyargal-movie-review-in-tamil-1198286 |url-status=live }}</ref> Abhisudha of ''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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=OTT: பதுங்கு குழிகளில் மருத்துவ சிகிச்சை... போராட்டக்காரர்களின் வாழ்க்கை; ‘சல்லியர்கள்' படத்தை எந்த ஓ.டி.டி-யில் பார்க்கலாம்? |url=https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/salliyargal-movie-review-eelam-war-t-kittu-thirumurugan-sathya-devi-karunaas-ott-plus-10965163 |website=tamil.indianexpress.com}}</ref> RK Spark of ''Zee Hindustan Tamil'' praised the director for bringing to screen, the brave story of doctors - the forgotten heroes of Sri Lanka's Eelam War.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2026 |title=சல்லியர்கள் படத்தின் திரை விமர்சனம்! படம் எப்படி உள்ளது? |url=https://zeenews.india.com/tamil/movies/salliyarkal-movie-review-in-tamil-released-on-ott-plus-suresh-kamatchi-631873 |website=Zee Hindustan Tamil}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title}}
Category:2026 Tamil-language films Category:2020s war films Category:2026 films Category:2026 Indian films Category:Films about the Sri Lankan civil war Category:Films produced by Suresh Kamatchi Category:Films set in Sri Lanka Category:Indian war films Category:Tamil-language Indian films Category:Tamil-language war films