Suriya’s much-anticipated collaboration with director Karthik Subbaraj , ‘Retro’, continues to post steady numbers at the box office despite receiving mixed critical reception. The film has managed to collect over Rs 46.50 crore in India net collections within five days of its theatrical run, according to early estimates reported by the Sacnilk website.

Tamil version shines

On its fifth day (Monday, May 5, 2025), Retro earned approximately Rs 3.35 crore across all languages, a significant drop from its opening day numbers but consistent with weekday trends. The film opened strong on Day 1 with Rs 19.25 crore, bolstered primarily by the Tamil version (Rs 17.25 Cr), followed by decent holdover figures through the weekend — Rs 7.75 Cr on Friday, Rs 8 Cr on Saturday, and Rs 8.15 Cr on Sunday.


Decent occupancy rates

The overall Tamil occupancy on Monday stood at 22.54%, with night shows registering the highest turnout at 26.95%. Telugu occupancy was lower at 13.36%, reflecting moderate traction in the Andhra-Telangana belt. Despite these dips, the film’s star power and stylish presentation seem to be drawing a steady stream of viewers.

Mixed reviews pour in

Featuring an ensemble cast including Pooja Hegde, Joju George, Jayaram, Nassar, and Prakash Raj, Retro blends action, nostalgia, and socio-political themes in Karthik Subbaraj’s signature style. While reviews have been mixed, with praise for Suriya’s performance and visuals, criticism has been directed at the film’s screenplay and pacing. Our review reads, “There are moments in the second half when some of the ambitious writing choices - like the climax, which echoes that of the filmmaker's Jigarthanda Double X in some aspects - lead to unintended reactions. There are also times when the violence feels prolonged. Even Rukmini's pacifism needed a stronger reason to make us understand why she keeps breaking up with Paari when he resorts to violence, especially when it is to save her or someone else.”