May 2, 2025: Suriya’s latest action-packed thriller, Retro, helmed by acclaimed director Karthik Subbaraj, has faced a somewhat lukewarm reception at the domestic box office, failing to surpass the opening-day collections of his previous blockbuster, Kanguva. Despite gaining significant buzz for marking the Kanguva actor’s much-anticipated return to the big screen, Retro’s Day 1 earnings fell short of expectations, according to the latest trade data.
The film’s box-office performance has drawn comparisons to Kanguva, a film that made an explosive impact upon release in November 2023.
Suriya’s highly anticipated 44th film, Retro, may have generated significant fanfare on its opening day, but its box-office performance didn’t quite live up to the sky-high expectations set by his previous release, Kanguva. Despite receiving positive reviews for its engaging storyline and the Kanguva actor’s compelling performance, the film was unable to outshine its predecessor’s Day 1 earnings at the domestic box office.
According to industry tracking platform Sacnilk, Retro raked in ₹19.25 crore nett on its opening day, with the Tamil version contributing ₹17.25 crore, followed by ₹1.95 crore from the Telugu version and ₹0.05 crore from the Hindi version. In contrast, Kanguva had a roaring start, earning ₹28.5 crore nett in India during its opening day last November.
Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, the ,movie sees the Kanguva actor in the role of Paarivel Kannan, a former gangster attempting to live a peaceful life, only to have his violent past catch up with him. The action-packed narrative has struck a chord with fans, with many hailing it as the Kanguva’s actor’s major comeback film. The film also features Pooja Hegde as the female lead and boasts a gripping soundtrack by composer Santhosh Narayanan.
Suriya’s Retro Struggles at Box Office—Is Kanguva Still King?
Despite the opening-day performance, trade analysts suggest the Kanguva actor’s latest film still has room to grow. The film’s success could increase as word-of-mouth spreads, and it continues to run in theatres across multiple regions. If the momentum sustains, the Kanguva’s actor’s movie may see a significant uptick in collections in the coming days, especially with its international release and streaming potential.
One of the interesting aspects of the film is a much-talked-about nearly 20-minute single-take sequence, which has received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Fans on social media have expressed their excitement, with one commenting, “Suriya’s career biggest comeback movie!” Others lauded the film as a “trademark Karthik Subbaraj” creation, praising the film’s unique storytelling style and dynamic pacing.
Meanwhile, the Karthik Subbaraju’s movie is also outperforming one of its primary competitors at the box office, HIT 3, which has been met with a comparatively weaker response. Nani’s HIT 3, which also released on May 1, has grossed ₹18 crore so far, with the majority of its earnings coming from the Telugu-speaking market.
Despite the Kanguva actor’s movie’s slower-than-expected start, the ongoing competition in the domestic box office is heating up, with both films expected to have a significant impact in the coming weeks. As more audiences flock to theaters to see the Kanguva actor’s and Nani’s performances, the ultimate success of these films will hinge on their ability to sustain interest over time.
The Karthik Subbaraju directed movie , produced by Stone Bench Creations and 2D Entertainment, is now playing in cinemas nationwide, while Kanguva, which had a stellar theatrical run, is currently streaming on Prime Video. Directed by Siva, Kanguva also features Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, and others in key roles, earning ₹81.22 crore nett in India.f