In recent times, film release schedules have become highly unpredictable. Movies that were initially planned to arrive first are getting pushed, while films that began shooting much later are unexpectedly hitting theatres earlier. This trend was recently evident in Pradeep Ranganathan’s lineup.

His film LIK (Love Insurance Kompany) was originally slated for an August 2025 release, while Dude was scheduled for October 2025. However, as of December, the situation has flipped—Dude has released as planned, while LIK is now aiming for a February 2026 release. Though no official reason has been announced, industry buzz points to post-production delays and, more significantly, the slowdown in OTT deals.

With digital platforms no longer offering the lucrative prices they once did, producers are choosing to wait when deals do not meet expectations. Once an OTT agreement is finalized, the platform often plays a key role in deciding the theatrical release date, as streaming services plan their content calendar well in advance. This dependency has made release schedules increasingly uncertain. The same situation reportedly affected LIK and Dude, and now similar issues seem to be impacting Suriya’s upcoming films.

After completing Kanguva, Suriya began work on Karuppu, co-starring Trisha and directed by RJ Balaji, who made his directorial debut with Mookuthi Amman (released in Telugu as Ammoru Thalli). While shooting for Karuppu, Suriya simultaneously joined the sets of a straight Telugu film directed by Venky Atluri, tentatively titled Suriya 46, which he has now wrapped up.

Karuppu was initially planned for a Diwali 2025 release but was reportedly postponed after the makers failed to secure an OTT deal at their expected price. With shooting nearly complete, the team is now eyeing a summer release. However, there’s a twist.

Suriya 46 is also ready and is being planned for a Summer 2026 release. Netflix has reportedly acquired the film’s digital rights, following the massive streaming success of Venky Atluri’s previous directorial, Lucky Baskhar, on the platform. The OTT deal for Suriya 46 is said to be smooth and record-breaking.

According to reports, the makers of Karuppu approached the Suriya 46 team to adjust their release plans, as both films are targeting the summer window. However, things currently do not seem favorable for Karuppu, with Suriya 46 likely to move ahead and release first. If that happens, Karuppu may have to settle for an early 2026 theatrical release to avoid further delays.

It remains to be seen which film will hit the screens first—Suriya 46 or Karuppu.

Karuppu stars Suriya, Trisha, and others. It is directed by RJ Balaji and produced by S R Prakash Babu and S R Prabhu under Dream Warrior Pictures, with music composed by Sai Abhyankkar.
Suriya 46, reportedly titled Vishwanathan and Sons, stars Suriya, Mamitha Baiju, Raveena Tandon, and others. The film is directed by Venky Atluri, produced by Naga Vamsi under Sithara Entertainments, and has music by GV Prakash Kumar.