Director RJ Balaji apologises after Suriya's Karuppu's OTT release faces backlash over poor VFX: 'This was our learning'

Karuppu. Pic via X

Tamil film Karuppu, starring Suriya and Trisha, recently made its OTT debut following a successful theatrical run. While the film continues to garner acclaim for its larger-than-life cinematic experience and Suriya's performance, several viewers slammed the makers, pointing out that certain visual effects and CGI shots appeared underwhelming on the OTT screens. Director and actor RJ Balaji recently addressed the criticism, acknowledging the shortcomings and apologising to audiences for the same.

RJ Balaji reacts to Karuppu's VFX criticism

During an interview with the Tamil website Cineulagam, RJ Balaji was asked about the questionable visual effects in certain portions of Suriya's Karuppu and why he was addressing the issue only now. To this, the filmmaker pushed back immediately, saying, "Not just now. I acknowledged it a while ago and have spoken about it everywhere."

Talking about the VFX process, he explained, "Some of these shots, especially head-replacement sequences, take months to finish. They also need advance payments to CGI companies," adding that the team "couldn't meet some of the payment schedules and production timelines" and that those practical constraints affected the final output.

Referring to the fight sequence in Singham, Balaji said, "We used as few shots as possible to complete that scene. We were aware that we hadn't delivered our best work in those portions."

"If people figure it out, they will criticise it. At the same time, many are also praising us for the experience. After the OTT release, out of everything, there were only a few things like these that people pointed out. For the rest, they are praising us and enjoying the film on OTT just as they did in theatres," he further added.

Talking about how he treats criticism and praise equally, Balaji said, "When people praise us, we acknowledge it. So, when they criticise us, we have to accept that too. There are a lot of reasons behind it, but I don't want people to know them. It is a mistake. We could have done it better, but we didn't. There were a few mistakes, and we accept them. Next time, perhaps, we can plan better in terms of finances."

RJ Balaji says Karuppu was designed for a theatrical experience

The filmmaker further reiterated that Karuppu was designed primarily as a theatrical experience. "I told the producers that this film is a theatrical experience. I said that during promotions as well. When you watch it in a theatre with a crowd, you'll experience magic. That magic blurs these mistakes. There are some tiny mistakes, but overlooking these mistakes is also part of cinema," he stated.

Further speaking about changing viewing habits os the audience, Balaji added, "Today's generation watches films on OTT through a different lens. They will criticise it, and we have to take it. Won't you accept praise when it comes? Then you should also accept criticism. This was our learning. Before the audience found out, we already knew about these mistakes. The number of screenshots people are posting after the OTT release, I had already taken many more screenshots than that myself."

Balaji then apologised to the audience. He concluded, "It is a mistake, and I apologise to the audience for giving them an underwhelming OTT experience. Hopefully, next time, we'll do better as a team."