Karuppu, Suriya’s finally long-awaited film directed by RJ Balaji, is most likely going to be the first action drama of its kind in the star’s illustrious career. The movie was originally scheduled to release around Diwali but still has no confirmed release window. Recent updates mention Karuppu could go for Pongal 2026, just in time for the next impressive festive season.
Karuppu has already generated a lot of hype amongst Suriya’s fan base, but the release process has taken a backseat due to pending non-theatrical deals. The teaser was well received, yet overall hype for the movie hasn’t quite hit its peak yet. Suriya’s recent string of box office failures, which have somewhat dulled the over expectations from the film.
But letting Karuppu out in the competitive Pongal 2026 season may not be a sensible move. Vijay’s Jana Nayagan and Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi are also slated to release around the same time, generating much buzz. With high expectations already on these movies, Karuppu might have stiff competition, which could result in fewer screens and less box-office collection.
Karuppu’s challenge becomes bigger when looking at the Telugu market. With major films like Prabhas’s Raja Saab, Chiranjeevi’s collaboration with Anil Ravipudi, and Naveen Polishetty’s Anaganaga Oka Raju all lined up for release around the same time, securing a substantial number of screens for the Telugu version could be difficult. Moreover, the Telugu-dubbed versions of Jana Nayagan and Parasakthi will further flood the market, leaving little space for Karuppu to make a significant impact in the region.
As Pongal 2026 race intensifies, Karuppu will be in for a tough fight on several fronts, and what happens to it in the midst of the jampacked fest lineup remains to be seen. Suriya’s fans and trade analysts alike want to know how his movie fares during this tricky release window.