As anticipation reaches a fever pitch, the team behind Retro—starring Suriya and directed by the ever-inventive Karthik Subbaraj—has confirmed that both the trailer and audio will drop on April 18, paving the way for the film’s grand theatrical release on May 1, 2025. Touted as a genre-bending gangster drama with a heartfelt twist, Retro has all the makings of a cinematic juggernaut.
A Glimpse Into the World of Retro
Production for Retro began in early 2024 and was wrapped up by October. While a teaser released earlier hinted at Suriya’s character being caught between love and a life of crime, the makers have skillfully kept the full storyline under wraps. This veil of secrecy, combined with Subbaraj’s knack for unconventional narratives, has only heightened curiosity.
Suriya appears to be playing a layered character—one who’s attempting to distance himself from violence for the sake of love. The teaser’s tone suggested a story that balances high-stakes action with intimate emotional beats, hinting at a more introspective take on the gangster archetype.
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Backed by the Best
Retro is co-produced by 2D Entertainment, helmed by Suriya and Jyotika, and Stone Bench Films, headed by Karthik Subbaraj. This collaboration brings together two creative powerhouses with a reputation for delivering content-rich, high-impact cinema.
The female lead is played by Pooja Hegde, marking her first time dubbing her own lines in Tamil—an effort widely praised by the film’s team. In a social media post shared via a playful comic strip titled EPI005: Vaazhga Tamizh! Challenge Accepted!, the production team applauded her dedication. The post humorously recounted how Hegde undertook daily Tamil lessons and stunned the crew by nailing even complex monologue sequences. Director Karthik Subbaraj apparently knew she was “the one” after an impressive look test.
A Stellar Cast and Crew
Joining Suriya and Hegde is a strong ensemble of seasoned performers and fresh faces, including: Jayaram, Nasser, Prakash Raj, Sujith Shankar, Karunakaran, Tamizh, Prem Kumar, Ramachandran Durairaj, Sandeep Raj, Murugavel, Remya Suresh
Each actor brings a unique flavor to the film, promising a richly textured narrative filled with dynamic performances.
The Technical Brilliance
No Karthik Subbaraj film is complete without a strong technical backbone, and Retro is no exception: Music: Santhosh Narayanan, a frequent Subbaraj collaborator, returns to craft a moody and immersive soundtrack. Cinematography: Shreyaas Krishna captures the visual mood, expected to be gritty yet stylized. Editing: Shafique Mohamed is in charge of the film’s pace and rhythm.Art Direction: Jackson builds the world of Retro, evoking a specific era and mood.Action: Kecha Khamphakdee handles the stunts, promising high-octane sequences.Costumes: Praveen Raja adds depth to characters with meticulously curated looks.
What’s Next?
With just weeks to go before release, Retro is shaping up to be one of the year’s most anticipated films. The combination of Suriya’s star power, Karthik Subbaraj’s storytelling chops, a committed cast, and a top-tier technical team makes this project one to watch out for. Whether it redefines the gangster genre or adds a fresh emotional perspective, Retro is poised to leave a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike.
