In recent years, celebrated Tamil directors Shankar and AR Murugadoss have been going through a tough phase in their careers. Both filmmakers, who once delivered massive blockbusters, are now facing heavy backlash due to a series of failures like Indian 2, Game Changer, Sikandar, and Madharaasi.
They don’t have much time to bounce back quickly. Unlike before, they no longer have the luxury of taking long breaks between projects, as the new generation of filmmakers has taken over with fresh ideas and faster production cycles.
Producers and stars today prefer working only with successful directors, leaving little room for those coming off a disaster. Any long gap could push Shankar and Murugadoss further into the background, making it difficult to regain their lost ground. Recognizing this reality, both directors are said to be reworking their strategies to stage a strong comeback.
According to Tamil industry media reports, both are expected to announce new projects next year. Shankar has reportedly narrated a story to Suriya. The collaboration may soon be made official. Meanwhile, Murugadoss is also planning a large-scale action film. The lead actor for his project has not yet been finalized.
The stakes are high for both filmmakers. Their previous films caused massive financial losses to producers and distributors, increasing the pressure for commercial success this time. Only a strong box-office hit can help them regain industry trust and rebuild their market reputation.
On top of that, Shankar’s Indian 3 has been delayed for several months. The film needs a huge number of crores to get completed. No producer is coming forward to finish it. OTT platforms also have refused to strike any deal for direct digital release. However, if Indian 3 gets released in theaters and by some miracle performs well, it could reduce some of the pressure on him and reestablish some faith in his directorial skills.
In short, both Shankar and A.R. Murugadoss are at a career crossroads. They urgently need success to silence critics and prove that their golden touch as top-tier directors in Kollywood still remains intact.
