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{{Short description|Film by Ramkumar Balakrishnan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Parking (2023 film).jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Ramkumar Balakrishnan
| writer = Ramkumar Balakrishnan
| producer = Sudhan Sundaram<br />[[K. S. Sinish]]
| starring = {{Plainlist|
*[[Harish Kalyan]]
*[[M. S. Bhaskar]]
*[[Indhuja Ravichandran|Indhuja]]
}}
| cinematography = Jiju Sunny
| editing = [[Philomin Raj]]
| music = [[Sam C. S.]]
| studio = Passion Studios<br />Soldiers Factory
| released = {{Film date|2023|12|01|df=y}}
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| runtime = 128 minutes<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parking |url=https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/search-result.php?recid=Q0EwMzAyMTEyMDIzMDAxNTU= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260502035540/https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/search-result.php?recid=Q0EwMzAyMTEyMDIzMDAxNTU= |archive-date=2 May 2026 |access-date=2 May 2026 |website=[[Central Board of Film Certification]] |language=en}}</ref>
| budget = 
| gross = 
}}
'''''Parking''''' is a 2023 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[black comedy]] and [[psychological thriller]] film written and directed by Ramkumar Balakrishnan in his directorial debut. Produced by Passion Studios and Soldiers Factory, the film stars [[Harish Kalyan]], [[M. S. Bhaskar]] and [[Indhuja Ravichandran|Indhuja]], with [[Rama (actress)|Rama Rajendra]], Prathana Nathan, [[Ilavarasu]] and Vetrivel Raja in supporting roles. In the film, a young couple relocate to a new house but face escalating tensions with a neighbour over a parking space.

''Parking'' was theatrically released on 1 December 2023 and received positive reviews from critics. It won three [[National Film Awards]]: [[National Film Award for Best Tamil Feature Film|Best Tamil Feature Film]], [[National Film Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role|Best Supporting Actor]] (Bhaskar) and [[National Film Award for Best Screenplay|Best Tamil Screenplay]] (Ramkumar).

== Plot ==
Eshwar, a 28-year old [[Information technology in India|IT]] professional, and his pregnant wife, Aathika, rent the top floor of a two-storey house. S. Ilamparuthi, the Executive Officer of [[Kundrathur]] [[Nagar panchayat|Town Panchayat]], lives in the ground floor with his wife, Selvi, and daughter, Aparna. Ilamparuthi is an old-fashioned man in contrast to Eshwar. Despite these differences, the two families initially get along well until Eshwar buys a new car for his wife to travel in comfortably. Ilamparuthi, who has lived in the house for the last ten years and has kept the entire parking space to himself since he and the previous first floor tenants never owned a car, is not comfortable with Eshwar's car parked in the parking space. After a couple of incidents, both begin to fight for rights over the parking space. Ilamparuthi sells his motorbike and buys a car just to ensure that Eshwar does not park his car in the parking space.

A cat-and-mouse game begins between Eshwar and Ilamparuthi over the parking space, which culminates with Ilamparuthi breaking Eshwar's car window when the latter manages to park his car ahead of him. They quarrel in full public view, which escalates when Ilamaparuthi insults Eshwar's mother, causing Eshwar to slap him. Seeking revenge for the slap, Ilamparuthi and his brother-in-law force Aparna to file a false case of harassment against Eshwar. Eshwar is arrested, but Aparna, feeling guilty for what she did, withdraws the complaint and Eshwar is released. Eshwar, in retribution, then frames Ilamparuthi for accepting a bribe of {{INRConvert|30000|year=2023}}, leading to his suspension. Despite Aathika pleading with Eshwar, and also at the same time Selvi and Aparna begging Ilamparuthi, not to escalate their quarrel, the duo refuse to budge. Ilamparuthi goes to the extent of loosening Eshwar's front tyre, which leads to a near-fatal accident when Eshwar is taking Aathika to hospital for her regular checkup.

Having deduced that Ilamparuthi is responsible, Eshwar wrecks his car in revenge. Fed up with Ilamparuthi's behaviour towards Eshwar, Selvi and Aparna leave him. Eshwar, on Aathika's insistence, decides to move out. He manages to find another home and then meets with Ilamparuthi to inform him of the same and make peace with him condescendingly. But instead, Ilamparuthi knocks him out in rage. At this juncture, he finds that Aathika has gone into [[childbirth|labour]] but seemingly does nothing. When Ilamparuthi returns, Eshwar regains consciousness and brutally attacks and knocks him out, refusing to listen when Ilamparuthi tries to inform him about his wife's condition.

Eeshwar starts heating Ilamparuthi's mobile phone in a microwave oven and orchestrating a gas leak with the intention of killing him, but when he eventually learns that Ilamparuthi had helped Aathika by driving her to the hospital, where she gave birth, he realises his mistake and switches off the main power supply for the house, averting a major disaster. At the hospital, Eshwar and Ilamparuthi apologise to each other for what had happened, and both feel they could have adjusted and handled the parking issue in a matured manner.

Some time later, both families have vacated the house. A broker allows a couple to rent either floor, with one condition being that they must not own a car, to which they agree.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
*[[Harish Kalyan]] as Eshwar
*[[M. S. Bhaskar]] as S. Ilamparuthi
*[[Indhuja Ravichandran|Indhuja]] as Aathika
*[[Rama (actress)|Rama Rajendra]] as Selvi
*Prathana Nathan as Aparna
*[[Ilavarasu]] as the house owner
*Vetrivel Raja as the house broker
*Vijay Sathya as the police inspector
*Kannayiram as Ganesan
}}

== Production ==
''Parking'', the directorial debut of Ramkumar Balakrishnan, was announced to the media in June 2023. By that time it was close to [[Wrap (filmmaking)|wrapping]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 June 2023 |title=Harish Kalyan, Indhuja pair up for a thriller on parking issue |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/harish-kalyan-indhuja-pair-up-for-a-thriller-on-parking-issue/articleshow/101209190.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222163534/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/harish-kalyan-indhuja-pair-up-for-a-thriller-on-parking-issue/articleshow/101209190.cms?from=mdr |archive-date=22 December 2023 |access-date=22 December 2023 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=23 June 2023 |title=Harish Kalyan's next is a thriller drama titled 'Parking' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/harish-kalyans-next-is-a-thriller-drama-titled-parking/article67000709.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222163534/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/harish-kalyans-next-is-a-thriller-drama-titled-parking/article67000709.ece |archive-date=22 December 2023 |access-date=22 December 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> Ramkumar said the film was inspired by his and his friends experiences with parking trouble. [[M. S. Bhaskar]] was cast after the director was impressed with his performance in ''[[8 Thottakkal]]'' (2017). To finalise the house that features in the film, the makers saw around 150 to 180 houses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raman |first=Sruthi Ganapathy |date=6 January 2024 |title=We Looked At More Than 150 Houses To Find The House In Parking: Director Ramkumar |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/interviews/tamil-interview/we-looked-at-more-than-150-houses-to-find-the-house-in-parking-director-ramkumar-harish-kalyan-ms-bhaskar-disney-hotstar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107011851/https://www.filmcompanion.in/interviews/tamil-interview/we-looked-at-more-than-150-houses-to-find-the-house-in-parking-director-ramkumar-harish-kalyan-ms-bhaskar-disney-hotstar |archive-date=7 January 2024 |access-date=2 August 2025 |website=[[Film Companion]] |language=en}}</ref> Filming was completed in 35 working days; the film was primarily shot in [[Virugambakkam]] and [[Valasaravakkam]], neighborhoods in [[Chennai]], while a few scenes were shot at [[East Coast Road]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=ஏக்நாத்ராஜ் |first=செ |date=19 November 2023 |title='பார்க்கிங் பிரச்சினை சாதாரணமானதல்ல!' – ஹரிஷ் கல்யாண் பேட்டி |trans-title='Parking problems are not trivial!' – Harish Kalyan interview |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/1155687-harish-kalyan-interview-about-parking.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260228051307/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/1155687-harish-kalyan-interview-about-parking.html |archive-date=28 February 2026 |access-date=2 January 2026 |website=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |language=ta}}</ref> The lead actors [[Harish Kalyan]] and [[Indhuja Ravichandran|Indhuja]] promoted the film by appearing as guests during the [[Bigg Boss (Tamil TV series) season 7|seventh season]] of [[Bigg Boss (Tamil TV series)|''Bigg Boss'']] in late November 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 November 2023 |title=Harish Kalyan and Indhuja Ravichandran enter Bigg Boss Tamil 7 house, promote Parking |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/harish-kalyan-and-indhuja-ravichandran-enter-bigg-boss-tamil-7-house-promote-parking/770faf2f76753 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108083523/https://www.ottplay.com/news/harish-kalyan-and-indhuja-ravichandran-enter-bigg-boss-tamil-7-house-promote-parking/770faf2f76753 |archive-date=8 January 2024 |access-date=8 January 2024 |website=[[OTTPlay]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Music ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Parking
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Sam C. S.]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 2023
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 10:10
| language = Tamil
| label = [[Think Music]]
| producer =
| chronology = [[Sam C. S.]]
| prev_title = [[Phoenix (2023 film)|Phoenix]]
| prev_year = 2023
| next_title = [[Siren (2024 film)|Siren]]
| next_year = 2024
| misc = {{external media
| audio1 = {{YouTube|TZGs796Elks|Parking – Jukebox}}}}
}}
The music for the film was composed by [[Sam C. S.]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 October 2023 |title=Parking |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/parking/6WjurzHXgiQ_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125070948/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/parking/6WjurzHXgiQ_ |archive-date=25 January 2024 |access-date=25 January 2024 |website=[[JioSaavn]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZGs796Elks |title=Parking – Jukebox {{!}} Harish Kalyan {{!}} Indhuja Ravichandran {{!}} Sam C.S {{!}} Ramkumar Balakrishnan |date=1 December 2023 |last=Think Music India |author-link=Think Music |language=en |access-date=28 February 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125070948/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZGs796Elks |archive-date=25 January 2024 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singers
| title1 = Chella Kalliye
| lyrics1 = [[Sam C. S.]]
| extra1 = [[Kapil Kapilan]]
| title2 = Neero
| lyrics2 = Vishnu Edavan
| extra2 = Abhijith Rao
| title3 = Yevan Nallavan
| lyrics3 = Sam C. S.
| extra3 = Sam C. S.
| title4 = Parking Theme
| lyrics4 = {{mdash}}
| extra4 = {{mdash}}
| length1 = 3:28
| length2 = 2:40
| length3 = 2:22
| note4 = Instrumental
| length4 = 1:40
| total_length = 10:10
}}

== Release ==
=== Theatrical ===
''Parking'' was theatrically released on 1 December 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 November 2023 |title='Parking' to 'Annapoorani': Tamil movies that are releasing on December 1 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/parking-to-annapoorani-tamil-movies-that-are-releasing-on-december-1/photostory/105563748.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201064139/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/parking-to-annapoorani-tamil-movies-that-are-releasing-on-december-1/photostory/105563748.cms?from=mdr |archive-date=1 December 2023 |access-date=2 December 2023 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Home media ===
The film began streaming on [[JioHotstar]] from 30 December 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Manu |first=Hridyambika A |date=30 December 2023 |title=Parking out on OTT – Where to watch Harish Kalyan and MS Bhaskar's thriller drama |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/parking-out-on-ott-where-to-watch-harish-kalyan-and-ms-bhaskars-thriller-drama/38574e0f55465 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725000224/https://www.ottplay.com/news/parking-out-on-ott-where-to-watch-harish-kalyan-and-ms-bhaskars-thriller-drama/38574e0f55465 |archive-date=25 July 2025 |access-date=2 August 2025 |website=[[OTTPlay]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Reception ==

=== Critical response ===
''Parking'' received positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 December 2023 |title=Parking on OTT — When will Harish Kalyan-MS Bhaskar's drama arrive on streaming? |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/parking-on-ott-when-will-harish-kalyan-ms-bhaskars-drama-arrive-on-streaming/348500a2f4762 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304045936/https://www.ottplay.com/news/parking-on-ott-when-will-harish-kalyan-ms-bhaskars-drama-arrive-on-streaming/348500a2f4762 |archive-date=4 March 2024 |access-date=5 August 2025 |website=[[OTTPlay]] |language=en}}</ref> M. Suganth of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave the film 4 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Even though ''Parking'' is in the space of a domestic drama, Ramkumar Balakrishnan narrates it in the tone of a thriller, ratcheting up the thrills, with help from Philomin Raj's sharp editing and Sam CS's suspenseful background score".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suganth |first=M |date=1 December 2023 |title=Parking Movie Review: Harish Kalyan and MS Bhaskar excel in a tensely staged drama on an everyday issue |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/parking/movie-review/105662716.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231084420/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/parking/movie-review/105662716.cms |archive-date=31 December 2023 |access-date=29 December 2025 |website=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> In a positive review, Gopinath Rajendran of ''[[The Hindu]]'' said, "Harish Kalyan's ''Parking'' might get predictable after a while, but the exceptional lead cast and an intriguing plot make it a winner."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rajendran |first=Gopinath |date=30 November 2023 |title='Parking' movie review: A fantastic MS Bhaskar shoulders a simple, efficient drama on ego clash |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/parking-movie-review-a-fantastic-ms-bhaskar-shoulders-a-simple-efficient-drama-on-ego-clash/article67590058.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130150743/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/parking-movie-review-a-fantastic-ms-bhaskar-shoulders-a-simple-efficient-drama-on-ego-clash/article67590058.ece |archive-date=30 November 2023 |access-date=2 December 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> Janani K of ''[[India Today]]'' wrote, "''Parking'' is all about two exceptional performances from legendary MS Bhaskar and Harish Kalyan. Beyond them, the film hardly moves forward".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=K |first=Janani |date=29 November 2023 |title=Parking Review: Harish Kalyan, MS Bhaskar are egoistic men in this engaging film |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/parking-review-harish-kalyan-ms-bhaskar-are-egoistic-men-in-this-engaging-film-2469023-2023-11-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130124541/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/parking-review-harish-kalyan-ms-bhaskar-are-egoistic-men-in-this-engaging-film-2469023-2023-11-29 |archive-date=30 November 2023 |access-date=2 December 2023 |website=[[India Today]] |language=en}}</ref> Sruthi Ganapathy Raman wrote for ''[[Film Companion]]'', "The filmmaker does run out of the same steam that once kept this chaotic car ride going, towards the last act. But despite its lack of know-how, ''Parking'' is still a trip worth your time for all the raw discomfort it makes you feel".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raman |first=Sruthi Ganapathy |date=1 December 2023 |title=Parking Review: A Dark, Fascinating Trip To The Centre of the Human Ego |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/tamil-review/parking-review-a-dark-fascinating-trip-to-the-centre-of-the-human-ego-parking-tamil-movie-harish-kalyan-indhuja-ms-bhaskar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260103075143/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/tamil-review/parking-review-a-dark-fascinating-trip-to-the-centre-of-the-human-ego-parking-tamil-movie-harish-kalyan-indhuja-ms-bhaskar |archive-date=3 January 2026 |access-date=29 December 2025 |website=[[Film Companion]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Box office ===
According to a report by ''[[News18]]'', ''Parking'' was made on a budget of {{INRConvert|6|c|year=2023}} and grossed {{INRConvert|17|c|year=2023}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=14 September 2024 |title=Missed Parking In Theatres? Catch This Harish Kalyan Dark Comedy On OTT |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/missed-parking-in-theatres-catch-this-harish-kalyan-dark-comedy-on-ott-9051118.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914180332/https://www.news18.com/movies/missed-parking-in-theatres-catch-this-harish-kalyan-dark-comedy-on-ott-9051118.html |archive-date=14 September 2024 |access-date=2 August 2025 |website=[[News18]] |language=en}}</ref> Raisa Nasreen of ''[[Times Now]]'' noted that the film struggled at the Chennai box office due to the effects of [[Cyclone Michaung]] in early December.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 January 2024 |title=Parking OTT Release: When And Where You Can Watch MS Bhaskar, Harish Kalyan's Hit Film |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tamil/parking-ott-release-when-and-where-you-can-watch-ms-bhaskar-harish-kalyans-hit-film-article-106435818 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101061006/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tamil/parking-ott-release-when-and-where-you-can-watch-ms-bhaskar-harish-kalyans-hit-film-article-106435818 |archive-date=1 January 2024 |access-date=5 August 2025 |work=[[Times Now]] |language=en}}</ref> Despite this, the director and producer of ''Parking'' donated {{INRConvert|2|l|year=2023}} for relief efforts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Darshan |first=Navein |date=6 December 2023 |title=Parking director and producer donate to Chief Minister Relief Fund for Chennai floods |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2023/Dec/06/parking-director-and-producer-donate-to-chief-minister-relief-fund-for-chennai-floods-50170.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004144427/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2023/Dec/06/parking-director-and-producer-donate-to-chief-minister-relief-fund-for-chennai-floods-50170.html |archive-date=4 October 2024 |access-date=5 August 2025 |work=[[Cinema Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Accolades ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Event
! Category
! Recipient(s)
! {{abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
| rowspan="5" | [[71st National Film Awards]]
| [[National Film Award for Best Tamil Feature Film|Best Tamil Feature Film]]
| ''Parking''
| rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |date=1 August 2025 |title=71st National Film Awards for the year 2023 announced |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2151537 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250802022526/https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2151537 |archive-date=2 August 2025 |access-date=2 August 2025 |website=[[Press Information Bureau]] |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[National Film Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role|Best Supporting Actor]]
|[[M. S. Bhaskar]]
|-
|[[National Film Award for Best Screenplay|Best Tamil Screenplay]]
|Ramkumar Balakrishnan
|}

== Potential remakes ==
In May 2024, it was reported that ''Parking'' was planned to be remade in [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Malayalam]], [[Hindi]], [[Kannada]] and a non-Indian language.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 May 2024 |title=Harish Kalyan's 'Parking' to be remade in 5 languages |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/harish-kalyans-parking-to-be-remade-in-5-languages/articleshow/110292487.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523123322/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/harish-kalyans-parking-to-be-remade-in-5-languages/articleshow/110292487.cms |archive-date=23 May 2024 |access-date=2 August 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb title}}
*{{Rotten Tomatoes}}

[[Category:2020s comedy thriller films]]
[[Category:2020s pregnancy films]]
[[Category:2023 black comedy films]]
[[Category:2023 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2023 films]]
[[Category:2023 Indian films]]
[[Category:2023 psychological thriller films]]
[[Category:2023 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Best Tamil Feature Film National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Films about automobiles]]
[[Category:Films about families]]
[[Category:Films about feuds]]
[[Category:Films about road accidents and incidents]]
[[Category:Films scored by Sam C. S.]]
[[Category:Indian black comedy films]]
[[Category:Indian comedy thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian films about revenge]]
[[Category:Indian pregnancy films]]
[[Category:Indian psychological thriller films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language black comedy films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language comedy thriller films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language psychological thriller films]]

Parking (2023 film) - Revision history

Pururava at 03:59, 2 May 2026