Suriya–Karthik Subbaraj’s Retro Fails to Impress

Retro, the much-hyped collaboration between actor Suriya and director Karthik Subbaraj, was expected to be a unique blend of style and substance. However, upon release, the film turned out to be a major box office disappointment. Viewers criticized its underwhelming screenplay, sluggish pacing, and lack of a clearly defined central conflict. Even after its OTT debut on Netflix, Retro struggled to find traction in the digital space, receiving largely indifferent responses from audiences.

In the wake of this reception, director Karthik Subbaraj has announced plans to revisit Retro with an extended version. Speaking in a recent interview, Subbaraj revealed that he is in discussions with Netflix to release a new cut of the film, adding up to 40 minutes of additional footage. The aim, he said, is to more effectively convey the film’s emotional depth and thematic intentions.

“The extended version will be split into four to five episodes, each around 40 minutes,” Subbaraj explained. “It will delve deeper into the spiritual, cult, and comic elements of the story, and also enhance the emotional and action sequences.”

Despite his enthusiasm, Subbaraj’s announcement has drawn a mixed response online. Many on social media questioned the value of re-releasing a film that has already received a cold reception. Critics argue that filmmakers should respect the audience’s verdict rather than attempt to reframe the same content. “If a film didn’t work the first time, adding more footage might not change public opinion,” some viewers commented.

While a few cinephiles welcomed the idea of an extended version offering greater clarity, others felt it would be more productive for Subbaraj to reflect on the film’s shortcomings and focus on delivering a stronger script in his next outing.

For now, it remains to be seen whether the extended cut of Retro will manage to redeem the film’s narrative or simply serve as a director’s indulgent reattempt. Either way, the spotlight is once again on Karthik Subbaraj to prove that his storytelling instincts can resonate more powerfully in the future.