Pandiraj on failures, rejected Suriya script, 'Kathakali' praise

Following the success of Thalaivan Thalaivii, director Pandiraj has sparked online conversations with his candid remarks in a recent interview. Speaking about Etharkkum Thunindhavan, his 2022 film with Suriya, Pandiraj acknowledged the criticism and admitted it didn’t meet expectations despite his three years of hard work, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It hurts when people say I gave Suriya sir a flop but delivered hits for others, Pandiraj said in a YouTube chat with Gopinath. I tried to give him a big success, just like I did for his brother Karthi with Kadaikutty Singam. In fact, Etharkkum Thunindhavan collected more than Suriya’s last two films, but it was still labelled a flop.

One revelation that caught fans' attention was that Pandiraj had initially pitched a unique comedy script—similar in tone to Michael Madana Kama Rajan—to Suriya. However, the project was shelved due to disagreements with the production company. It would have shocked and impressed everyone if that film had been made, he added, leaving fans disappointed over the missed opportunity.

Pandiraj also addressed the sudden appreciation for his earlier film Kathakali. Now everyone says they liked it, but where were they during the release? he asked. He explained that the success of Rajinimurugan led him to continue with similar storytelling styles afterward.

His honest comments have drawn praise for his transparency, with fans applauding his dedication. However, reactions remain mixed among Suriya fans, as many reflect on what could have been with the dropped project.