Exclusive | RJ Balaji on Potential 'Karuppu' Sequel: 'I Want to Do God vs Politics'

Director RJ Balaji has opened up about a potential sequel to his blockbuster film Karuppu, stating that he envisions the next chapter as “God versus Politics.” While he has ideas for the sequel in mind, he also stressed that he does not want to rush into a sequel solely because of the film’s success. 

Karuppu, starring Suriya, is a fantasy action courtroom drama about a Tamil guardian deity, Karuppaswamy, who intervenes in a courtroom case to save a young girl’s life. In a conversation with THR India, Balaji spoke about having a few good ideas for a sequel in mind, with ‘God vs Politics’ as the central theme for the second chapter. “If it happens, I want to do a sequel with 'God versus Politics.' Mookuthi Amman was ‘God versus Godman.’ This film is ‘My God versus My Lord’ (God versus the judiciary). Next film, I want it to be ‘God versus Politics.’” 

While he expressed his excitement to expand the film’s universe, he does not want to rush into it to cash in on the film’s success. “I don't want to fall into this trap that this film is becoming a big hit, so everybody will say, ‘What about the next part? Start cashing in' That won't work, I'm not excited about that idea.”

He elaborated, “I need a little more time to be with that idea. I want people to forget about the first film and then suddenly give them something that is better than the first one."

He also explained that he does not feel the political climate is right for a Tamil political satire, following Chief Minister Vijay’s historic electoral win. “People have voted for something, and that has just begun. There is a lot of hope and happiness. How do you make a satirical film in another two years, saying things are not okay?” he said.

Balaji added that while he has “a couple of interesting ideas” for the sequel, he now wants the film’s team and himself to spend time with friends and family after spending over two years creating Karuppu.