RJ Balaji wasn’t a widely celebrated filmmaker until the release of "Karuppu."
Though he had previously directed a film starring Nayanthara, he was largely known as an actor and a filmmaker with a modest profile.
Adding to the challenge, "Karuppu" went into release with limited buzz and was plagued by financial hurdles and delays.
The film eventually hit screens a day late after a financier reportedly withheld a no-objection certificate.
Despite these setbacks, the Suriya-starrer benefited from strong audience sympathy and arrived at a time when Tamil cinema was craving a major blockbuster.
Defying the odds, "Karuppu" emerged as the biggest hit of Suriya’s career, transforming RJ Balaji’s standing in the industry overnight.
The success has reportedly opened doors to offers from several leading stars.
In a recent interview, RJ Balaji revealed that superstar Rajinikanth personally called him to congratulate him on the film’s success.
He also shared that Rajinikanth invited him to meet with a strong script, hinting at the possibility of a future collaboration.
