Actor Suriya and director Karthik Subbaraj collaborated for the much-anticipated film Retro. Despite the initial hype and high expectations, the film unfortunately fell short at the box office. Audiences and critics alike pointed out issues with its sluggish screenplay and lack of a clear central conflict, resulting in a disappointing cinematic experience. Even after its digital premiere on Netflix a few weeks ago, Retro failed to make an impact, receiving minimal attention in the OTT space.

In response to the film’s reception, director Karthik Subbaraj recently revealed that he plans to release an extended version of Retro. He mentioned that around 40 minutes of footage had been trimmed from the final cut and he now wishes to restore it to better convey the film’s emotional depth and intended message.

Speaking in a recent interview, Subbaraj shared that he is currently in discussions with Netflix to release this extended version in the next three to four months. He explained that the revised cut would be presented as a series of four to five episodes, each lasting around 40 minutes. According to him, this version will offer more depth in terms of spirituality, cult elements, and humor—areas he feels were underrepresented in the theatrical cut.

However, the announcement sparked mixed reactions on social media. Many users expressed that once a film is released and audiences have given their verdict, creators should accept the feedback rather than attempt to rework the project. They argued that extending the film’s runtime might not change the perception of those already disappointed. Some even felt that the effort might go unnoticed, as viewers disinterested in the original release may not be inclined to revisit the extended version.

As Retro continues to be a topic of debate, all eyes are now on Karthik Subbaraj’s next move and whether the extended cut can indeed offer the redemption the filmmaker hopes for.