Karuppu is both a feature-length film that has strong commercial potential and an ambitious project that blends fantasy, courtroom drama, and mass-action elements together in a manner unlike anything Balaji has done before . Like many of his early films (e.g., LKG, Mookuthi Amman), Balaji attempts again to combine satire with mainstream entertainment. However, in this instance, he collaborates with Suriya to create a larger-than-life film that deals with the issue of justice using the premise of a supernatural power.

In the beginning of this film, viewers will be reminded of all the great things about it as it begins and will be pleasantly surprised at how good this film turned out. By this point in the film, there will have been numerous events occurring in rapid succession, causing the film to lose its original intent and to be less enjoyable and valuable to the viewer than previously. But this, there is still plenty of entertainment to be gained from watching the movie as a result of having an amazing performance by Suriya and excellent cinematography.

Plot Summary

The film introduces viewers to Baby Kannan, a corrupt lawyer who exploits the legal system by using a corrupt judge for his own gain. There are many individuals who fit this description that seek justice through corrupt attorneys or judges and end up falling prey to their greed and corruption. One such family is a father and daughter from Kerala who have been robbed of their gold by law enforcement agencies (the police) and desperately want to retrieve their gold. These two families enter into one of many transparent (clear) systems of corruption and dishonesty (no one knows what his own legal obligation is because of the pervasive nature of corruption), which allows a "Mysterious Force," who has been sent from Heaven to punish the guilty and restore justice, into "the system." 

Positive Points

One of the most important parts about this film is Suriya's presence as he commands so much attention while delivering very impactful and emotional lines before using many stylish slow motion sequences and energizing the action throughout the film to elevate the moments in between them.  The visuals created by GK Vishnu are highly vibrant (due mainly to red and black being used heavily), and the track “Verappa,” composed by Sai Abhyankkar, gives even more energy to the mass sequences throughout the film.

The film has a lot going for it in terms of looks and style as well as being a good mass entertainer even though most of the mass entertainment stems from the fantasy-based plot and some very touching moments related to this plot. Ultimately, due to the hero worship and standard story structure that have been employed, it is clear that the film loses its own originality and is left with a sense of what could have been so much more than what it actually was, to a point where the fans of Suriya can enjoy celebrating their star and the rest of us feel like the film is a missed chance at being something that would have had a much bigger impact.

Negative Points

The most significant drawback of the film is that the second half is too weak. The film begins with an exciting supernatural element before devolving into many clichéd fan service moments. The screenplay becomes safe and predictable, becoming more of a reference to what has come before, overloaded with mass upliftment, as opposed to being a well-told story. RJ Balaji’s storytelling lost all sense of direction by the film’s climax, resulting in a rushed and unfinished ending.

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Overall: Karuppu is a visual masterpiece that serves its purpose as an entertainment feature with an emphasis on fantasy elements and emotion. However, the film ultimately sacrifices its creativity and originality in favour of traditional hero worship and formulaic storytelling. Fans of Suriya will enjoy the celebration of Suriya but to anyone else, the film will leave them feeling as if they wasted an opportunity for a much greater emotional impact.