Karthi Says Annagaru Vostaru Revives Vintage Mass Cinema with a New-Age Twist

With just days left for release, star actor Karthi opened up about his upcoming action-comedy entertainer Annagaru Vostaru, which is set for a grand worldwide release on December 12. The film is backed by Studio Green, produced by K.E. Gnanavel Raja, and directed by Nalan Kumaraswamy, with Krithi Shetty playing the female lead. In a detailed interaction, Karthi shared insights into the film’s creative vision, stylistic approach, and nostalgic undertones.

Why Karthi Chose the Film

Karthi revealed that the main reason he signed Annagaru Vostaru was director Nalan Kumaraswamy, whose cult classic Soodhu Kavvum remains a benchmark in modern Tamil cinema.
He noted that even though Nalan stayed away from filmmaking for eight years, audiences eagerly awaited his return—proof of the director’s enduring impact.

A Fresh Take on 80s Mass Cinema

Karthi shared that Nalan envisioned a film that channels the mass-commercial mania of the 80s and 90s, when stars like NTR and MGR were celebrated as larger-than-life icons—true superheroes of Indian cinema.
Although inspired by this retro spirit, the story unfolds in a fictional parallel world, blending nostalgia with a contemporary visual aesthetic.

A Creative Risk and a New Challenge

Calling the project a “risk,” Karthi said he could easily choose safe films like Oopiri, but he believes cinema moves forward only when creators take bold leaps.
He added that Annagaru Vostaru features visuals and music crafted on a grand scale, comparable to Hollywood superhero films, which makes the film a thrilling challenge to perform.

Classic Template, Modern Presentation

Karthi discussed the unique storytelling rhythm of Telugu and Tamil cinema—songs placed strategically, emotional highs and lows, and the traditional structure of hero–songs–villain–fights.
According to him, the film retains this classic mass formula while presenting it in a new-age style.

A Superhero tale with a Quirky Twist

The movie frames Karthi as a police officer in a superhero-driven narrative set in an alternate world.
He mentioned a humorous courtroom scene involving his character’s safari uniform, reflecting Nalan’s quirky writing style.
The dialogues have a rhythmic flow, and the musical treatment is refreshingly different.

Music, Performances, & Technical Brilliance

Karthi praised Santhosh Narayanan, saying the composer personally requested to be part of the film.
He also applauded Krithi Shetty for her portrayal of a spirit reader, noting her dedication and expressive acting.

Teamwork That Powered the Film

Karthi credited the collaborative environment on set, often discussing scenes moments before shooting.
He thanked Gnanavel Raja for unwavering support in building the unique world of Annagaru Vostaru, ensuring no compromises in production quality.

Supporting Bold Cinema

Karthi emphasized the importance of backing innovative films, citing classics like Satyam Shivam Sundaram as examples of cinema that pushed boundaries.
He also expressed excitement for Akhanda 2 and fondly mentioned his admiration for K. Viswanath’s timeless emotional storytelling.