Director Ramkumar Balakrishnan’s debut feature film Parking has earned significant acclaim at the 71st National Film Awards, securing three major honours: Best Tamil Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor.
The awards were announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for films certified in 2023. Parking, a Tamil-language social drama, premiered in theatres on December 1, 2023, and was jointly produced by Soldiers Factory and Passion Studios. The film stars Harish Kalyan and veteran actor MS Bhaskar in lead roles.
MS Bhaskar was awarded Best Supporting Actor, an honour he shares with Malayalam actor Vijayaraghavan for Pookkaalam. His portrayal of Ilamparuthi, a retired government official entangled in a psychological conflict with his tenant over a parking space, was widely praised for its emotional depth and intensity.
The film’s screenplay, written by Ramkumar Balakrishnan, was recognized for its layered narrative and taut structure. The story explores themes of pride, ego, and class dynamics through a domestic dispute that escalates into a psychological battle. The screenplay has also been included in the Oscars Library’s Core Collection, underscoring its international relevance.
Actor Harish Kalyan and other cast members, including Indhuja Ravichandran, Prathana Nathan, Ilavarasu, and Rama, contributed to the film’s critical success. Cinematographer Jiju Sunny and editor Philomin Raj were credited for maintaining the film’s tense and claustrophobic visual tone.
Following the announcement, Ramkumar Balakrishnan expressed gratitude to the cast, crew, producers, and audiences, acknowledging the film’s journey from a modest concept to national recognition. He described the awards as a responsibility to continue creating meaningful cinema.
Parking is now regarded as a landmark in Tamil cinema, demonstrating the impact of character-driven storytelling rooted in everyday conflicts.
