Retro Review: Suriya Shines in Karthik Subbaraj’s Gangster Drama
Suriya returns to the big screen with Retro, a gangster drama by Karthik Subbaraj featuring layered storytelling, bold visuals, and fan-favorite music.
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Tamil star Suriya returned to theatres Thursday with “Retro,” a gangster drama from director Karthik Subbaraj that pairs him with Pooja Hegde. Fans packed cinemas for the film’s opening day, sharing reactions online as they watched the story unfold.
“Retro” follows Paarivel “Paari” Kannan (Suriya), a man caught between past actions and future hopes, and his wife Rukmini “Rukku” (Hegde), who represents the life he seeks. The narrative shifts across several periods, tracing Paari’s attempts to build a new path while old connections reemerge.
A 15-minute single-take sequence has become the film’s standout moment, drawing cheers in auditoriums and sparking discussion on social platforms. Composer Santhosh Narayanan’s soundtrack highlights key scenes, driving momentum through brisk rhythms rather than lingering melodies.
Subbaraj’s screenplay divides “Retro” into two halves: the first establishes Paari’s world through rapid exchanges and sharp dialogue, and the second confronts unresolved conflicts. Early audience responses highlight Suriya’s intense portrayal, with viewers noting his controlled delivery and physicality in action set-pieces. Reactions to Hegde’s Rukku emphasize her role as emotional anchor, steering Paari’s decisions.
Behind the camera, Shreyaas Krishna framed urban landscapes in dynamic widescreens, and editor Shafique Mohamed Ali cut scenes with precise timing, maintaining narrative drive. Supporting actors Joju George, Jayaram, Karunakaran and Nassar appear in key roles, while cameo turns by Santhosh Narayanan and Shriya Saran add brief diversions.
Producers announced that “Retro” will expand to additional screens this weekend in response to demand. Ticketing platforms show strong advance sales in major South Indian cities. Box office trackers project a three-day opening of Rs 30 crore, signaling a solid start for a film positioned between mass appeal and character study.
As netizens continue posting scene-by-scene takes, “Retro” stands out for its structural risks and focus on timeline shifts. Viewers will gauge in coming days whether the film sustains its momentum in the second half and crosses the Rs 100 crore mark in its theatrical run.
