The much-awaited trailer for Suriya's Karuppu was finally unveiled on Sunday, after the swearing-in of actor-turned-politician Vijay as chief minister. The makers awaited till the political buzz settled in order to create fresh anticipation for Suriya's 45th film, helmed by RJ Balaji.
While Karuppu's teaser previously established that Suriya was playing an iteration of Karuppusamy, a deity from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, the trailer has made it clear that it is the deity who has descended in human form. Suriya says, "I'd been away just for a while… and you dared to forget who I am?" following which Trisha says, "I won't tell anyone," with her hands folded in prayer. In another dialogue, Suriya says, "What was that you said? Even if God comes down, court procedures can't be changed? Well, here I am", proving that he indeed is a Karuppusamy incarnate.
This follows the idea behind RJ Balaji's Mookuthi Amman, in which the goddess descends in human form to right the wrong. While the Nayanthara-starrer was based on religious and spiritual scams, this film is based fully on legal cases. An early frame in the trailer also establishes that the civil cases are heard at the Seven Wells Family Court in Chennai.
RJ Balaji plays a full-fledged villain, Baby Kannan, with the trailer having no moments of comic relief for the comedy actor. His suit can be seen having the 'BK' initials, while his car's number plate reads TN12 BK 2085. Interestingly, RJ Balaji was born on June 20, 1985, which seems to have been the idea behind the number plate.
While Swasika is clearly a part of Baby Kannan's team, Anagha Maaya Ravi and Indrans' characters, along with that of Sshivada, seem to play a major role in making Karuppusamy take a human form. We see Indrans' case hearing being delayed and him being disrespected by Baby Kannan and his team, making him pray to Karuppusamy for a solution. The teaser previously established that anybody who prays sincerely to Karuppusamy and grinds chillies will be delivered instant justice from the deity. Indrans is seen offering ground red chillies in the trailer.
The trailer also has a meta reference to RJ Balaji's career as a cricket commentator. Suriya's Karuppu is seen asking RJ Balaji's Baby Kannan for an alternative career, saying, "Are you going to try your hand at cricket commentary? But for that you'd actually need to know the game."
Sai Abhyankkar has composed music for Karuppu, his sophomore Tamil project. The crew of the film includes cinematographer GK Vishnu, editor R Kalaivanan, production designer Arun Venjaramoodu, and stunt choreographers Anbariv and Vikram Mor.
Supreeth Reddy, Yogi Babu, Mansoor Ali Khan, George Maryan, Aadukalam Naren, Namo Narayana, Deepa Shankar, Lollu Sabha Maaran and Jaffer Sadiq round out the cast of Karuppu. The film is produced by SR Prakash Babu and SR Prabu under their Dream Warrior Pictures banner. Aravendaraj Baskaran is serving as the executive producer on the film. The film will open in theatres on May 14.