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When the release of Suriya’s Veera Bhadrudu (aka Karuppu) was delayed by a day, director RJ Balaji was visibly emotional and even shared a video on social media expressing his frustration. In the video, he said he had done everything possible for the film and that its release ultimately rests in God’s hands. The clip quickly went viral, and after the film’s release, many felt his emotional outburst had worked in his favour as the movie went on to become a blockbuster.

However, a senior film financier later criticised RJ Balaji’s approach, suggesting that instead of expressing distress over release issues, the director should have focused on controlling the budget and managing production costs more efficiently. This remark reportedly surprised Balaji.

Responding to the criticism, RJ Balaji clarified that there was no negativity between him and the producers. He said, “We are all happy with the result. My producers and I, along with our families, even visited a temple together. If there were any issues, that wouldn’t have happened.”

He further added that industry veterans like Tiruppur Subramaniam and others have always supported him, and he holds deep respect for them. Balaji stated that since the film has been a success, everyone involved is now celebrating the outcome and sharing the profits. He chose not to engage further in controversies, saying the team is currently in a positive and celebratory mood.

With Karuppu reportedly emerging as a surprise ₹300 crore blockbuster, the team’s success has silenced much of the criticism. Otherwise, RJ Balaji might have faced heavy scrutiny, similar to what some filmmakers experienced in past box office failures, including the backlash around high-profile promotional campaigns that didn’t translate into success.