CHENNAI, May 1, 2025 — The much-hyped Retro, starring Tamil cinema heavyweight Suriya, stormed into theaters today, drawing crowds eager for a dose of 80s nostalgia and high-octane action. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj and backed by Suriya and Jyotika’s 2D Entertainment, the film promised a heady mix of romance, crime, and retro flair. But while Suriya’s magnetic presence lights up the screen, the script’s wobbly foundation has left audiences buzzing with mixed feelings.
Set against a meticulously crafted 1980s backdrop, Retro follows Paarivel Kannan, played by Suriya, a man tangled in a criminal underworld who seeks redemption through love. His romance with Rukmini, portrayed by Pooja Hegde, sets the stage for a tale of sacrifice and pursuit, with a mysterious “Gold Fish” driving the plot’s darker currents. The cast, rounded out by veterans like Jayaram, Joju George, and Prakash Raj, adds heft, while Santhosh Narayanan’s pulsating score and Shreyaas Krishna’s vibrant cinematography scream period authenticity.
Production kicked off in early 2024, with filming wrapping in December after shoots across Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kerala. The team leaned hard into the retro aesthetic—think neon-lit streets, vintage cars, and synth-heavy music. Promotional materials, including a glitzy trailer released on April 16, 2025, showcased Suriya in top form, blending charisma with raw intensity. The film’s release was strategically timed for the summer holiday rush, with distributors banking on Suriya’s star power and Subbaraj’s reputation for bold storytelling.
Yet, for all its polish, Retro stumbles where it matters most: the story. The narrative, aiming to juggle multiple genres, loses steam under the weight of its ambitions. Key plot points, including the chase for the elusive Gold Fish, feel disjointed, leaving gaps that even Suriya’s commanding performance can’t bridge. Supporting roles, particularly Hegde’s, are undercut by thinly written characters, though actors like Joju George deliver standout moments. A single-take action sequence, filmed over three days in Chennai, has drawn gasps for its technical prowess, clocking in at nearly four minutes of unbroken chaos.
The film’s budget, reportedly north of ₹80 crore, reflects its grand scale, with heavy spending on set design and action choreography. Released in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, Retro hit over 2,500 screens worldwide, including 600 in Tamil Nadu alone. Early box office reports suggest a strong opening day, with collections estimated at ₹25 crore globally, driven by Suriya’s loyal fanbase and holiday crowds.
Subbaraj, known for hits like Jigarthanda, aimed to craft a savior figure in Paarivel, blending mythic undertones with gritty crime drama. But the execution falters, with pacing issues and clunky dialogue bogging down the second half. The film runs for 158 minutes, and some theatergoers in Chennai reported feeling the drag after the interval. Still, Suriya’s ability to carry the film—whether in emotional close-ups or bone-crunching fight scenes—remains its beating heart.
Retro marks 2D Entertainment’s ninth production and Suriya’s 44th film as a lead. It’s rated U/A by the Central Board of Film Certification, with a release date locked in after minor cuts to violence were made on April 28, 2025. The film’s Telugu version, distributed by Mythri Movie Makers, has seen particularly strong pre-bookings in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
As crowds pour in, Retro’s fate hangs on word-of-mouth. Suriya delivers a performance that’s equal parts fire and soul, but the script’s cracks might keep this one from the classic status fans hoped for. The numbers will tell the tale in the days ahead.
The film stars Suriya, Pooja Hegde, Jayaram, Joju George, Karunakaran, Nassar, and Prakash Raj. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, it’s produced by 2D Entertainment, with music by Santhosh Narayanan, cinematography by Shreyaas Krishna, and editing by Shafique Mohamed Ali. Released on May 1, 2025, it runs for 2 hours and 38 minutes.