Suriya once enjoyed a strong fan base and significant popularity in the Telugu-speaking states. However, over the past few years, a series of his films failed to make an impact at the box office, causing him to lose his market.
Previously, his movies used to collect 8-10 crore share irrespective of talk, but now even his high-profile films are struggling to cross 5 crores.
Despite this setback, Suriya had high hopes for his recent big-budget film Kanguva, viewing it as a potential turning point and a strong comeback to reclaim his position.
Unfortunately, Kanguva was a washout in theaters and struggled to attract viewers even during its OTT release, where many were surprised by the low viewership numbers.
This disappointing response was a major blow to Suriya’s career momentum not only in the Telugu market but also in Tamil.
Soon after, Suriya’s next release, Retro, came out with hopes to regain lost ground. The makers and fans anticipated that Retro might fare better. But again, it was a huge flop. Then there were hopes for the film on the OTT platform where niche films often find their audience.
However, the response was again extremely poor. While a few director Karthik Subbaraj cults appreciated the film for its experimental narrative, most viewers found Retro difficult to sit through. Many described it as a headache and a torture.
This string of disasters has put Suriya in a challenging position. With his popularity waning, particularly in the lucrative Telugu market, the pressure is mounting for his next venture to restore his standing.
Fans and industry watchers alike are watching closely, hoping that his next films will be the much-needed breakthrough that brings Suriya back to prominence in Telugu cinema.
