Vijay Greenlights 9 AM Shows for Karuppu Just Days Into Office

Tamil Nadu’s newly sworn-in Chief Minister Vijay wasted no time making his mark, granting special permission for 9 AM shows of RJ Balaji’s upcoming action film Karuppu, starring Suriya and Trisha. The film hits theatres on May 14, with first-day-first-show screenings now confirmed to begin at 9 AM across the state.

Production house Dream Warrior Pictures announced the development on social media, thanking Vijay directly for the approval. The film has already generated strong pre-release buzz, collecting Rs 4.45 crore in advance bookings on day one alone.

Why Early Morning Shows Need Special Approval in Tamil Nadu

Unlike most other Indian states, Tamil Nadu requires special government clearance for early morning screenings of superstar-led films. The restriction followed a tragic incident during the 2023 Pongal clash between Thunivu and Varisu, when fan frenzy at pre-dawn shows turned fatal. Since then, the state has permitted screenings only from 9 AM onwards, and only on a case-by-case basis.

A Reunion 21 Years in the Making

Karuppu brings together Suriya and Trisha for the first time since their 2005 film Aaru, making it a long-awaited on-screen reunion. Trisha plays a lawyer opposite Suriya’s titular character Karuppuswamy. Fans have also noted Trisha’s close personal ties with Vijay — the two have been longstanding co-stars and friends, and Trisha attended his swearing-in ceremony last Sunday.

The approval signals a more accommodating stance toward the film industry under Vijay’s administration.