14 May,2026 05:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Suriya and his fans protesting (Fanpages X)
Suriya's much-anticipated film Karuppu faced major release troubles on Thursday after several morning and afternoon shows were suddenly cancelled across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, leaving fans frustrated. The unexpected delay triggered protests outside theatres, with angry fans demanding answers from exhibitors and distributors.
The film, directed by RJ Balaji and starring Suriya alongside Trisha Krishnan, had generated massive buzz ahead of its release. Special 9 AM shows were approved in Tamil Nadu due to high demand, and industry trackers predicted that the action drama could earn nearly Rs 25 crore on its opening day. However, last-minute release hurdles disrupted those expectations.
According to reports, confusion began early Thursday morning when several theatres either paused online bookings or cancelled screenings without prior notice. Fans who had booked first-day-first-show tickets arrived at theatres only to learn that the shows would not take place. In Puducherry, disappointed Suriya fans reportedly gathered outside a theatre and staged protests after the cancellations. Videos from the scene quickly spread across social media platforms.
Producer SR Prabhu later issued an apology and confirmed that the disruption happened because of "unavoidable reasons." While the makers did not initially reveal the exact cause, reports later suggested that financial and distribution-related issues may have delayed the film's release process. Theatre owners also reportedly faced uncertainty regarding booking permissions and screening schedules.
Director RJ Balaji addressed fans through an emotional statement on social media, admitting that he did not have a concrete answer regarding the sudden situation. He assured audiences that the producers were trying their best to resolve the issue and maintained faith that the film would eventually release smoothly. Later in the day, another emotional video from Balaji went viral, where he appeared teary-eyed while apologising to disappointed fans.
Reports also claimed that Suriya personally stepped in to help resolve the financial hurdles affecting the release. Sources suggested that discussions were underway with distributors and financiers to ensure the film could resume screenings soon.
Karuppu has been one of the most-awaited Tamil films of 2026. The movie marks Suriya's collaboration with RJ Balaji and features him in a mass-action avatar. The film's trailer, songs, and promotions had created strong excitement among fans in recent weeks.
