Retro starring Suriya in the lead is a multi-genre period film that released in theaters on May 1, 2025. Retro is written and directed by Karthik Subbaraj, a certified Rajinikanth fan, and right from the film's inception, odes to the Superstar were evident in the movie.
5 days into Retro's release, Karthik Subbaraj has now shared Rajinikanth's feedback to the movie. "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 ❤️❤️ ", shared an excited Karthik Subbaraj on his X handle mid-Tuesday.
Thalaivar watched #Retro & he Loved it.... 🕺🕺💥💥
— karthik subbaraj (@karthiksubbaraj) May 6, 2025
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
It is worth mentioning here that Retro was originally written for Superstar Rajinikanth but the script underwent major changes to become Suriya's Retro. Karthik Subbaraj has previously admitted that Suriya was able to call out the Rajinikanth connect during their first script discussion, and had even asked the director if the the story was written for his senior.
Interestingly Retro at one point was even rumoured to be titled Johnny, after the 1980 Tamil crime thriller starring Rajinikanth and Sridevi.