The highly anticipated mythological epic Karna, starring Suriya and directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, has reportedly been shelved. Originally envisioned as a grand two-part project with an ambitious budget of ₹350 crores, the film has hit financial roadblocks, raising doubts about its future.
According to film journalist Rahul Raut, production house Excel Entertainment urged Mehra to significantly reduce the film’s budget, failing which they might withdraw their support. Despite the project’s scale and the excitement surrounding its mythological premise, the financial risks appear to have outweighed its potential.
The shelving of Karna comes at a time when the Indian film industry is grappling with the fallout from the underperformance of high-budget films, including Kanguva. The lukewarm box office reception of such projects has made producers cautious about investing in grand-scale ventures.
While the official reason remains unconfirmed, the decision to halt Karna reflects the current challenges in balancing creative ambition with financial prudence in the film industry. Fans of Suriya and mythological cinema will undoubtedly be disappointed, as the project had promised to be a visual spectacle. However, this development underscores the growing need for a sustainable approach to filmmaking in an evolving market.
