Overview
- Retro marks the first collaboration between star Suriya and director Karthik Subbaraj, blending romance and action in a story of redemption.
- The film opened to strong pre-sales, with ₹7.75 crore in advance bookings in Tamil Nadu alone, and first-day earnings estimated at ₹20–25 crore worldwide.
- Critics and audiences have praised Suriya's performance and the technical brilliance of the 15-minute single-shot 'Kanimaa' sequence, but criticized the screenplay's uneven pacing and cluttered narrative.
- Pooja Hegde's portrayal of Rukmini has been widely celebrated as her career-best, with fans lauding her emotional depth and chemistry with Suriya.
- Pirated versions of the film surfaced online within hours of its release, raising concerns over its potential impact on box office performance.