KARUPPU IGNITES MADURAI: SURIYA’S LANDMARK AUDIO LAUNCH SETS THE STAGE
FOR ONE OF TAMIL CINEMA’S MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASES
In a night that belonged to the masses, director RJ Balaji’s Karuppu — starring Suriya, Trisha Krishnan, and featuring music by breakout composer Sai Abhyankkar — held its grand audio launch at Solamalai College of Engineering, Madurai. Thousands of fans turned out for what felt less like a film promotion and more like a cultural festival — one that Suriya himself likened to Madurai’s legendary Chithirai Thiruvizhaa.
SURIYA
The evening’s most awaited moment arrived when Suriya took the stage — and his words were as much devotion as they were declaration.
“Madurai is always super special for me. Saapadu, arasiyal, and their respect to pen deivam. Madurai mannukku naa kadan patruken, ithana padam inga paniruken. 28 years of making me a hero — this love, this affection. I am overwhelmed.”
“Madurai’s Chithirai Thiruvizhaa draws five lakh people. In the same way, I see the Karuppu thiruvizhaa as another Chithirai Thiruvizhaa.”
“Actor Indrans — what a talent. He keeps doing films across genres again and again. He has studied only up to the 4th standard, and now he has gone and done his 7th standard exams. There is no limit to his dedication.”
“Sai, you are a very special talent. You have a massive future ahead of you. When I first met him, he said he makes 1,000 tunes a day. When the film comes on screen, it will be a massive experience in terms of music.”
“Dream Warrior thinks for me, more than me. They have a huge vision and were able to create the world of Karuppu. I’m also deeply thankful to Anbariv masters and Vikram masters for their extraordinary stunt direction.”
“I think Karuppusamy is the reason this film came this far. I am really seeing the effect that happens when God comes into a person. Where there is faith, miracles will certainly happen. RJ Balaji is multi-talented — I see myself as Suriya, but he sees himself as director, actor, commentator, and everything at once.”
“In this film, I am not the hero. Karuppusamy is the hero. I thank my director RJ Balaji for giving me this opportunity — to perform this way, to be seen this way. Those who have seen the film say the first half is deeply emotional, and the second half is packed with a high every 10 minutes. May 14 — it is in your hands. I am confident you will love it. We will see each other in the theatre.”
— Suriya
DIRECTOR RJ BALAJI
Director RJ Balaji, who co-wrote the film alongside four collaborators and has invested 32 months into Karuppu, spoke with characteristic candour, humour, and deep emotion throughout the evening.
“I had come to the Karuppusamy temple two years ago. That time itself, I told the producers that the audio launch of this film should happen in Madurai. Throughout this film, Karuppusamy has held my hand and walked with me. I believe that is my biggest strength.”
“Sai Abhyankkar 01 is when we signed him — and now he has already signed 73 films. I went to his home, and a helicopter is standing there. He is a gifted composer. People will be shaken when his song releases, but his song creates a massive impact in just 15 minutes. We now feel he is our master stroke.”
“Actor Indrans has done a superb job in the film. I was amazed by his performance. Trisha could not join us today, but I thank her deeply. It is not easy to be Trisha — it is not easy to stay at the top for 23 years. This will be one of her best roles in recent times.”
“I had no idea how to handle a big film and a big star. When I was thinking, one man held my hand and took me through — that’s GK Vishnu. He knows exactly how to make a hero look mass on screen.”
“After the Valimai update, the Karuppu update was the one asked for the most. The journey of two years was very tough. Yes, me and SR Prabhu fought, debated — everything. But we are in a good space now. I got a family through Karuppu.”
“This film was written by five of us together. This team has been with me for two years. It happened because of one man — Suriya sir. I only gave him a 45-minute narration, but he agreed immediately. Even my wife was surprised — she said, ‘Suriya sir Un padam panraara?’ He had the trust and confidence in me, and I wanted to give him the best. I wanted Suriya sir to enjoy himself on screen, have fun, and be seen in a massy way. Usually, big hero films have the hero in every single scene. But in Karuppu, there are many scenes without him — our stories exist in the film too. He agreed to that, and he delivered. On screen, just his eyes speak volumes. A commercial first half, and a second half with a high every 10 minutes. A king is coming for his throne.”
“Fans are asking why we didn’t announce the date on the posters — but if we did, the Censor Board would have come knocking. We will put it out soon. Get your crackers ready. A celebration is coming. May 14.”
— Director RJ Balaji
SAI ABHYANKKAR — COMPOSER
Sai Abhyankkar, whose live performance of God Mode opened the night to thunderous applause, reflected on a journey that began with one unexpected moment of destiny.
“The response to the songs of Karuppu has been overwhelming, and it makes me so emotional. Suriya sir has so many cult films, and when this film came to me — I immediately jumped on board. The very first meeting with Balaji Anna was superb, very special. I was doubtful at first, and I was on my way to meet RJB Anna. But on the way itself, I saw on Twitter that Sai Abhyankkar is doing Suriya 45. I got goosebumps. I cannot forget that moment ever.”
“Any other superhero would have thought twice before going with a debut music director for a film of this scale. But Suriya sir agreed and brought me on board without hesitation. I have seen the film. The re-recording will be talked about, and this film is going to be a blockbuster.”
— Sai Abhyankkar, Composer
ACTOR NATTY
“Karuppu has a fantastic screenplay. For this film, I did many rehearsals too — and RJB remembered every single scene we performed and carried it forward brilliantly. I love how Suriya sir’s handsomeness is still exactly the same. That is why Suriya sir has fans till date, and always will.”
— Actor Natty
ACTOR SWASIKA
“This is my second film with Suriya sir, after Retro. After Lubber Pandhu, I wanted to change my look — and immediately, it happened in this film. Thanks to RJB sir, who was the one who called me. Karuppu is a grand entertainer, and I have a very good role in it. I am so grateful.”
— Actor Swasika
ACTOR SSHIVADA
“Madurai la Karuppu shoot panna varumbodhe romba sandhosham — ippo indha medai innum mass ah irukum. I am standing on this stage because of RJB sir — thank you so much. I cannot forget the day that I acted with Suriya sir. It was my birthday too. It was so emotional and beautiful. RJB is such a fun person — even in his tense moments, he is very sweet. He enjoys his work on the sets a lot.”
— Actor Sshivada
ACTOR ANAGHA MAYA RAVI
“I have never been to such a big event in Madurai. It’s all because of RJB sir. Thank you sir for bringing me into this big film. I grew up being a fan of Suriya sir and Jyotika mam. I didn’t even think I would meet him in person — but now I have done a film with him. I am not great in Tamil, but next time nalla prepare pannitu varen.”
— Actor Anagha Maya Ravi
LYRICIST VIVEK
“Veyyon Silli in Soorarai Pottru was written in Madurai slang, and now I am working with Suriya sir again in back-to-back films — Retro and Karuppu. With Sai Abhyankkar, I keep working again and again — from indie songs to films, from Sithira Puthiri all the way to Karuppu now, and multiple songs in Raaka too. We always have a great energy together. All the songs have come out so well.”
— Lyricist Vivek
PRODUCTION DESIGNER ARUN VENJARAMOODU
“The visuals of Karuppu by GK Vishnu will be highly talked about. It was a great memory to be a part of this amazing biggie. My entire team has worked round the clock for this film. I am a big fan of Suriya sir, and I was waiting for the chance to work on his film. I feel very emotional standing here.”
“I have seen aruvas at 10 feet and 20 feet. But for one song in this film, we made one at 85 feet. I don’t know if I can do a film of this scale again. I am waiting to see the audience reactions in the theatre.”
— Production Designer Arun Venjaramoodu
PRODUCER SR PRABHU
“I am very confident about Karuppu. RJB has brought this film with fun, energy, and entertainment. Balaji reduced the work of a producer and made it very comfortable for all of us. It will have a lot of grandeur and will feel like a true festival. Thanks to GK Vishnu for his extraordinary work, and to Sai Abhyankkar — his first big Tamil film — we are doing it together.”
— Producer SR Prabhu, Dream Warrior Pictures
DISTRIBUTOR SAKTHIVELAN
“My journey with Karuppu started with RJB in LKG. He is an asuthanamanaa uzhaipaali — an extraordinarily hardworking person — and he has put in multiple times that effort for Karuppu. For the script, he interacted with so many people and brought in a wealth of research.”
“Karuppu will be a never-before-seen avadhaaram for Suriya sir. I recently got to watch the film. I am saying this with the permission of the director — it is going to be a semma virundhu for the fans.”
“This year, Suriya sir has three films. All three will become huge hits. We will call this Suriya’s year.”
— Distributor Sakthivelan
THINK MUSIC SANTHOSH
“Karuppu will be a never-before-seen avadhaaram for Suriya sir. I recently got to watch the film. I am saying this with the full permission of the director — it is going to be a semma virundhu for the fans.”
— Think Music Santhosh
Produced by Dream Warrior Pictures.
