With you: Dulquer Salmaan, Vignesh Shivan support RJ Balaji amid Karuppu delay

Actors and filmmakers including Dulquer Salmaan, Vignesh Shivan, Rathna Kumar and Manjima Mohan extended support to director-actor RJ Balaji after shows of Suriya and Trisha's Karuppu were cancelled on its scheduled release day on May 14. Their messages came after Balaji shared an emotional video breaking down amid the delay. While he hinted at a possible 6 pm release on Thursday, it looks uncertain as of now.

The support from the film fraternity came as reports said the delay was linked to unsettled dues of more than Rs 50 crore by Dream Warrior Pictures, the film's production house. According to reports, financiers, exhibitors and distributors who suffered losses due to the production house's previous films were behind the last-minute trouble, which became a major obstacle to Karuppu reaching theatres on time.

Here's his video:

Commenting on RJ Balaji's emotional video, Dulquer Salmaan wrote, "All will be good brother !! with you always ! (sic)."

Director Vignesh Shivan, as a close friend of RJ Balaji, shared the video on his Instagram Stories and wrote, "The love for you and the movie will remain unchanged! My bro! This tears will change to happy tears in a matter of few hours bro! Love you we are all with you! (sic)."

Director-writer Rathna Kumar also shared Balaji's video on X and wrote, "Can't see you break like this. Stay strong @RJ_Balaji brother. #Karuppu will win big and change the fate of many involved. Hard work & passion can never fail. I am rooting for your success. More power to entire team (sic)."

Actor Manjima Mohan commented on Balaji's Instagram post and wrote, "This shouldn't have happened to you. This shouldn't happen to anyone! I really hope and pray things get sorted soon, and we get to see the movie in the theatre! Stay strong like you always do Balu. Always rooting for you (sic)."

Reports further said the financial strain was worsened by unpaid location charges linked to EVP Studios near Chennai. These pending dues are said to have created a roadblock that prevented the final clearance needed for distribution.

Karuppu stars Suriya and Trisha Krishnan, with Yogi Babu, Jaffer Sadiq, Mansoor Ali Khan and Indrans in supporting roles. Apart from directing the film, Balaji has also played a pivotal role in the movie. The film has music by Sai Abhyankkar, cinematography by GK Vishnu and stunt choreography by Anbariv.

The delay in Karuppu's release on May 14 prompted several industry colleagues to rally around RJ Balaji publicly, even as reports pointed to pending dues as the reasons behind the film's last-minute hold-up.