"My Films Are Personal": Karthik Subbaraj on 'Retro' and Tamil Cinema | InFocus | THR India

In this captivating episode of "InFocus" on The Hollywood Reporter India, acclaimed film critic Anupama Chopra sits down with visionary Tamil filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj at the prestigious Leela Palace in Chennai. The conversation delves deep into Kartthik Subbaraj's latest directorial venture "Retro," exploring the film's ambitious genre-blending narrative, remarkable 15-minute single-shot sequence featuring Suriya, and the director's creative process in crafting complex characters like Paari and Rukmini. Karthik shares fascinating insights about working with Suriya, including how they dedicated an assistant director just to monitor if the actor accidentally smiled during takes.

The interview reveals Karthik Subbaraj's distinctive filmmaking philosophy as he discusses his preference for writing over directing, his approach to dark humor, and his creative journey from "Mahaan" to "Jigarthanda DoubleX" and now "Retro." Anupama's thoughtful questions draw out Karthik's reflections on his artistic choices, including setting portions of the film in Thoothukudi, his collaboration with legendary director Shankar, and his future aspirations to create an independent film aimed at film festivals rather than commercial success.