After 9 am Shows, More Karuppu Screenings Cancelled In Tamil Nadu Amid Trisha-Vijay Affair Rumours

The release troubles for Suriya and Trisha’s Karuppu appear to be deepening. After the cancellation of the film’s early morning shows on Thursday, several theatres across Chennai also called off the noon and matinee screenings.

What’s Happening

• The action drama, directed by RJ Balaji, was scheduled to hit theatres today. However, reports suggest that pending financial settlements involving the producers and financiers have delayed the film’s release. 
• With no official clarity from the makers about when the film will finally screen, confusion continued to grow among audiences and exhibitors throughout the day.
• Major theatre chains, including Vettri Theatres, Kamala Cinemas, GK Cinemas and EGA Cinemas, informed audiences through their X handles that the afternoon shows had been cancelled and refunds would be processed.
• One of the notices shared by Vettri theatres read, “#Karuppu noon & matinee show is cancelled. Online tickets will be refunded to your account within 4-5 working days. Counter booked tickets, please collect your amount directly.”

#Karuppu noon & matinee show is cancelled. Online tickets will be refunded to your account within 4-5 working days . Counter booked tickets , pls collect your amount directly.

— Rakesh Gowthaman (@VettriTheatres) May 14, 2026

EGA Cinemas in Chennai’s Kilpauk area wrote, “Due to financial reasons by the producer, the noon show 12:30 pm has been cancelled by the movie team. Refunds have been initiated, and cancellation confirmation messages will be sent to all registered phone numbers. Regret the inconvenience caused.”

#Karuppu

DUE TO FINANCIAL REASONS OF PRODUCER THE ” 💔NOON SHOW 12 30 PM ” HAS BEEN CANCELLED BY MOVIE TEAM.

REFUNDS HAVE BEEN INITIATED & CANCELLATION CONFIRMATION MSGS WILL BE SENT TO ALL REGISTERED PHONE NUMBER.

REGRET THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED#Suriya #RJBalaji

— EGA CINEMAS (@EGACinemas) May 14, 2026

GK Cinemas also posted, “#Karuppu – Noon shows are cancelled as of now. Refund is being initiated for online bookings and counter bookings.”

#Karuppu – Noon shows are cancelled as of now. Refund is being initiated for online bookings and counter bookings .

— Ruban Mathivanan (@GKcinemas) May 14, 2026

• Broadway Cinemas, a theatre chain in Coimbatore, posted, “Dear Patrons, Today’s Noon shows of #Karuppu have been cancelled too. Refunds have been initiated. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused.”

Dear Patrons,

Today’s Noon shows of #Karuppu have been cancelled too.

Refunds have been initiated. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused. https://t.co/7kavGEErCj

— Broadway Cinemas (@CinemasBroadway) May 14, 2026

• Meanwhile, Vishnu Kamal of Kamala Cinemas revealed that exhibitors were later informed that the film might release in the evening despite multiple cancellations throughout the day. 
• “This is truly heartbreaking for everyone who had been eagerly waiting to watch the film today,” he said.
• Earlier in the day, producer SR Prabhu had apologised for the cancellation of the 9 am shows, citing “unavoidable reasons.” 
• However, the makers are yet to officially confirm when the film’s screenings will begin.

Background

The cancellation comes just days after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay reportedly granted “special permission” for the film’s 9 am screenings. 

Over the past two days, several fans had already raised concerns online after they were unable to find or book the morning shows on ticketing platforms despite the announcement regarding the special permission.

As confusion continued to grow, director RJ Balaji also addressed fans on X. “Dearest fans, I don’t have a concrete answer to the current situation. Producers are doing their best to solve the hurdles. This film has always had hurdles, and somehow God has made us sail through all that and here we are after 32 months. This time as well, I have faith, complete faith in him,” he wrote.

Several theatre owners and exhibitors responded to the filmmaker with messages of support. Among them was Vasu Cinemas, which commented, “Days of struggle, sacrifice and patience and I can only imagine the countless hurdles and obstacles you must have crossed to reach this day. For us, you have always been far more than just a public personality you have always been a very, very good soul whom I genuinely respect and admire .. Good hearted people like you truly deserve massive success. We sincerely pray for #Karuppu to have a smoother release and achieve big in Box office. Win BIG RJ.”

However, reports suggest the issue may be limited only to the 9 am shows and may not affect the rest of the day’s screenings.

The film has already reportedly collected Rs 7.2 crore through advance bookings for Day 1. 

The film has faced multiple delays over the past year. Originally planned for a Diwali 2025 release, the film was postponed due to pending post-production work. The makers later announced that the film would be released only after the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections.

In Tamil Nadu, special permission is required for early morning screenings of major star-led films. The state government tightened regulations on early morning and late-night shows following the fan frenzy and law-and-order concerns during the Thunivu-Varisu box office clash in Pongal 2023, which resulted in a fan’s death.

Only a handful of films, including Leo and Kanguva, have previously received permission for 9 am shows in the state.

The permission granted to Karuppu also drew public attention amid speculation around Vijay and Trisha’s rumoured relationship. The two were recently spotted attending a wedding together shortly after reports emerged that Vijay’s wife Sankgeetha, had filed for divorce. 

Trisha was also seen at Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony earlier this week, where she greeted and hugged the actor’s mother.

About Karuppu

Karuppu marks the reunion of Suriya and Trisha after Aaru (2005). The film also features Yogi Babu, Indrans, Sshivada, Swasika, Natty, Supreeth Reddy and Anagha Maya Ravi in key roles, while director RJ Balaji appears in a negative role.

The story follows a father-daughter duo, played by Indrans and Anagha Maya Ravi, who struggle as their court case faces repeated delays. 

Their troubles intensify because of manipulative lawyer Baby Kannan, played by RJ Balaji. 

After losing hope, their case is eventually taken up by Saravanan, played by Suriya, who is hinted to be an incarnation of Karuppusamy. 

Trisha essays the role of lawyer Preethi, who has a history with Baby Kannan.

The film’s technical crew includes composer Sai Abhyankkar, cinematographer GK Vishnu, editor R Kalaivanan and production designer Arun Venjaramoodu.

Also Read | Why Trisha-Suriya’s Karuppu 9 am Shows Were Cancelled Despite ‘Special Permission’ Amid Vijay Affair Rumours