After multiple postponements, Suriya's Karuppu was finally scheduled to open in theatres on May 14. But even on D-day, the film has faced a setback as the first day, first shows, slated for 9 am, were cancelled, disappointing fans. Now, fresh reports suggest that the film's afternoon shows are also being cancelled.
While the producer, SR Prabhu of Dream Warrior Pictures, cited "unavoidable reasons" for the release delay, reports are live that the film has not received clearance for theatrical exhibition due to pending payments from the production side. The release of the RJ Balaji directorial is still in limbo as of now.
For a while now, Suriya's films have not been opening on dates fixed initially. It started with Kaappaan in 2019. Initially planned for an August release, the film was pushed by a month to avoid a clash with Prabhas' Saaho. Furthermore, a copyright court case initially put a stay on the film's release on September 20, 2019. Fortunately, the court dismissed the case due to lack of evidence a week before the release.
Then came the pandemic, which meant that two of Suriya's blockbusters, Soorarai Pottru and Jai Bhim, did not have a theatrical opening. When Suriya came back to theatres with Pandiraaj's Etharkkum Thunindhavan, the film's release date went through multiple rejigs.
Initially planned for the Christmas weekend in 2021, it was even advanced to December 17 that year, only to be pushed to Pongal following the postponement of Vijay's Beast. However, the film skipped Pongal as well and was scheduled for February 4, 2022, which was further stalled due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. Finally, the film only saw the light of day on March 10, 2022.
After ET, Suriya took a two-year period of production for his film with Siva, Kanguva. All eyes were on the film as Suriya fans had high hopes for the period setting and the magnificence promised by the director. The film, too, was planned during the Aayutha Poojai weekend, so more audiences would come to the theatres to spend their weekend with entertainment. However, it was postponed to a non-festive release date, November 14.
Suriya's 45th, Karuppu, itself was first planned for Diwali release but delayed to make way for Vijay's swansong, Jana Nayagan. The film further had to skip the Pongal window too because Vijay's film was rescheduled for the festival. Finally, the date was set on May 14, but the film's release is facing uncertainty.
Now, reports are also making the rounds that Suriya's next, Vishwanath & Sons, helmed by Venky Atluri, may be pushed to August from its previously announced July release window. However, an official confirmation is awaited from the film's team.
While Suriya continues to star in ambitious and large-scale projects, release-day setbacks and repeated postponements have become an unexpected trend surrounding his films in recent years. With Karuppu now caught in uncertainty despite finally arriving at its release date, fans will be hoping the issue gets resolved soon and the actor’s upcoming projects avoid a similar fate.
