Rajinikanth praises Suriya’s Retro — and Tamil cinema fans can’t stop talking

Rajinikanth praises Suriya’s Retro — and Tamil cinema fans can’t stop talking about it. In what has become the most heartening moment for the team behind Retro, Superstar Rajinikanth’s recent appreciation has taken social media by storm. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj and starring Suriya, Retro was already gaining decent momentum at the box office. But this fresh endorsement from a legend has added new fuel to the film’s journey.

Karthik Subbaraj took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to share that Rajinikanth Praises Suriya’s Retro and genuinely loved it. He quoted the veteran actor’s words: “What an effort by the whole team. Suriya’s performance was super. Last 40 minutes of the film were superb… Laughter touch is fantastic… God bless.” Coming from one of India’s biggest cinematic icons, this statement instantly boosted public interest in the movie.

What makes the story more interesting is that

despite it being a film he was initially supposed to do. In a pre-release interview, Karthik revealed that the original version of the Retro script was written specifically with Rajinikanth in mind. The concept was packed with mass action and larger-than-life moments typical of Rajini films. However, during script development, Karthik saw the potential for a powerful love story instead. The change in narrative tone eventually led him to cast Suriya, whose emotional depth brought a new dimension to the character.

When Suriya first read the script, he guessed that it had been initially crafted for Rajinikanth. Despite that, he embraced the role and added his signature intensity. Rajinikanth praises Suriya’s Retro not just for the story but also for the actor’s layered and compelling performance. Suriya’s ability to combine vulnerability with heroic presence has once again set him apart as one of Tamil cinema’s most versatile actors.

Retro features a strong ensemble cast, including Pooja Hegde, Jayaram, Nassar, Prakash Raj, Joju George, and Karunakaran. The film earned ₹19 crore on opening day and has now grossed ₹48.16 crore across six days in India, according to Sacnilk. Although there was a slight drop during the weekend, Rajinikanth’s public reaction could lead to a bounce in ticket sales. With word-of-mouth working in its favor, Retro might enjoy a longer run at the box office than initially expected.

Thalaivar watched #Retro & he Loved it…. 🕺🕺💥💥

Exact words of Thalaivar……
“What an effort by whole team…. Suriya performance Super…. Last 40 minutes of the film Superb… Laughter touch is Fantastic….God bless”

Am flying now…..Love you Thalaivaaa ❤️❤️… pic.twitter.com/D9pBy5DjhJ

— karthik subbaraj (@karthiksubbaraj) May 6, 2025

It’s not every day that Rajinikanth praises Suriya’s Retro in such detail. His comments came at a perfect moment — both for the film’s commercial trajectory and the morale of the cast and crew. This unexpected boost from the superstar has added more depth to the film’s journey, which has already been celebrated for its writing, performances, and fresh visual style.

Interestingly, Rajinikanth is currently in the spotlight for another reason — his upcoming film Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. The mega-project, scheduled for release on August 14, 2025, is rumored to be mounted on a ₹400 crore budget. Reports suggest that Rajinikanth is being paid between ₹260–280 crore, making him one of the highest-paid actors in Asia. Coolie also stars Nagarjuna Akkineni, Shruti Haasan, and Upendra Rao, with cameos by Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde.

While Rajinikanth’s next project is already creating waves, his nod to Retro shows his genuine passion for cinema and encouragement for younger actors. When Rajinikanth praises Suriya’s Retro, it’s not just a headline — it’s a moment of cinematic camaraderie that fans cherish. It also reminds audiences that every good story deserves its place, regardless of who headlines it.

With Karthik Subbaraj, Suriya, and the entire Retro team receiving such unexpected applause, the film’s standing in the industry has been elevated. Viewers who missed it earlier may now be drawn to theatres just to see what impressed the Superstar so much.

Also Read: Retro movie update 

Retro might have started as a film that wasn’t sure where it would land — mass entertainer or emotional drama — but thanks to the fine performances, creative direction, and now Rajinikanth’s words, it has emerged as a talking point in Kollywood. It’s rare for such moments to unfold publicly, and even rarer when it involves two titans like Suriya and Rajinikanth on the same narrative thread.