Karthik Subbaraj to Recut Suriya's Retro into Web Series with Extended Scenes

Director Karthik Subbaraj has revealed exciting plans for his recent film ‘Retro’, which stars Suriya in the lead role. Although the movie didn’t receive the expected response upon its release and drew criticism for its nearly 3-hour runtime, Subbaraj is now aiming to breathe new life into the film through a revamped OTT series version.Currently streaming on Netflix, Retro is being re-envisioned as a series that could release in about four months."Talks are underway with streaming services to release an extended edition of Retro in the form of a web series." It won’t just feature deleted scenes — I plan to add more emotional depth and detail. Ideally, each episode will run for about 40 minutes and focus on a different theme — be it romance, comedy, or action. Netflix isn’t fully on board yet, so we’re exploring other options.”

About the Film:

Retro is a romantic action drama that follows the life of Pari (Parvel Kannan), played by Suriya. Separated from his parents as a child, he is raised by gangster Tilak (Joju George) — albeit reluctantly — at his wife’s request. When enemies target Tilak, Pari saves his life, earning Tilak’s trust and gradually growing into a formidable figure in the underworld.As the story progresses, Pari falls for Rukmini (Pooja Hegde), and the two get married. Hoping to leave behind his violent past, he dreams of a peaceful life. But his past deeds and loyalties catch up with him, leading to intense confrontations and revelations.

The narrative explores:

• Whether Pari succeeds in walking away from crime
• The hidden truths about his past
• The root of his conflict with Tilak
• And the battles he must fight, even against his will

What’s New in the Extended Version?

• Expanded emotional arcs beyond what was shown in the film
• More focused storytelling across episodes
• A thematic approach in each episode (romance, action, etc.)
• Possible release as a multi-episode series with 40-minute segments

This move to reformat Retro into a web series aims to offer viewers a deeper connection to the story and its characters, potentially giving the film a second chance to shine.