Director-actor RJ Balaji's Karuppu hit theatres earlier this Friday after missing out on its May 14 release slot, reportedly due to a financial dispute involving its producer Dream Warrior Pictures. The initial audience response suggests that the film, starring Suriya in the lead role, is a good commercial entertainer.
Karthik Subbaraj, who last directed Suriya in Retro, described Balaji's film as a "full on theatrical blast". The filmmaker added, "Suriya sir's God mode is pure FIRE." He also congratulated the entire team behind Karuppu for "giving a A Mass Action Fun Family Blockbuster."
Karthik also suggested that Suriya is going to be an unstoppable force from here onwards. Alluding to his Retro star, he added, "Now on ..... No Stopping for The ONE!!"
The film is written by Balaji himself. Ashwin Ravichandran, Rahul Raj, TS Gopi Krishnan, and Karan Aravind Kumar are also credited as its writers.
The film also stars RJ Balaji himself, Indrans, Natty, Swasika, Sshivadha, Anagha Maya Ravi, and Supreeth Reddy, among others. On the technical front, it has cinematography by GK Vishnu, music by Sai Abhyankkar, editing by R Kalaivanan, stunts by Vikram Mor, and production design by Arun Venjaramoodu.
The makers faced much criticism for the delay in the release of the film, with fans calling out producers SR Prakash Babu and SR Prabhu, in particular, for the hassles. However, director RJ Balaji has long been saying that it would be worth the wait for fans, although he recently said that it would not be for those who dissect films down to the very minute details. At least, this is exactly what the early Karuppu reviews is saying, that it is a pucca commercial entertainer with an in-form Suriya. In comparison, Karthik Subbaraj's Retro received mixed reactions from audiences and critics.
