Filmmaker AR Murugadoss, who is currently promoting his upcoming film Madharaasi starring Sivakarthikeyan, recently shared his thoughts on why Tamil cinema has not produced films that cross the ₹1000 crore mark.
In an interview with Valaipechu Voice, the director explained that the approach of Tamil filmmakers differs from those in other industries. “While filmmakers in other languages primarily focus on delivering pure entertainment, Tamil directors often see cinema as a medium with an educational purpose,” he noted.
Murugadoss pointed out that this distinct outlook greatly influences the way stories are told. “Tamil films often include messages about what audiences should or should not follow, and this naturally affects their commercial performance,” he observed.
He further advised against drawing straightforward comparisons with other regional industries. “Tamil filmmakers should not be directly compared with their counterparts elsewhere, as their objectives and creative intentions are fundamentally different,” he added.
In the same interview, the director acknowledged his share of responsibility for the underperformance of Sikandar, admitting that he was unable to fully realize his vision for the film. Drawing a comparison between Salman Khan’s Sikandar and Aamir Khan’s Ghajini, Murugadoss reflected on the reasons behind their contrasting outcomes. “Ghajini worked because it was a remake—I had already made the film before and had complete control over the material. But with Sikandar, it was an original script, and I couldn’t achieve the same level of command. That doesn’t mean I won’t return to Hindi cinema; I certainly will if I find the right comfort zone. However, when audiences fail to connect with my ideas, it affects me on a personal level,” he explained.
Madharaasi features Sivakarthikeyan in the lead, alongside Vidyut Jammwal, Vikranth, Rukmini Vasanth, and Shabeer Kallarakkal in key roles. Backed by Sri Lakshmi Movies, the film is scheduled for a theatrical release on September 5. In Malaysia, Fivestar Trading has secured the distribution rights of the film.
Source: Cinema Express
