Filmmaker N Lingusamy has opened up about the unexpected box office journey of his 2002 film Run, which released alongside Baba starring Rajinikanth. As Run gears up for a re-release on July 10, the director reflected on the challenges he faced during its original release, particularly the pressure of clashing with one of the most anticipated films of that time.
Lingusamy revealed that when Baba was announced, many filmmakers chose to postpone their releases to avoid competition. However, he decided to move forward with Run, even offering to write a personal letter to Rajinikanth out of respect and admiration. Despite the overwhelming buzz surrounding Baba, the audience response after release took an unexpected turn. While Baba received mixed reviews and underperformed commercially, Run steadily gained momentum, drawing audiences into theatres.
The director vividly recalled how viewers would leave screenings of Baba and head to watch Run, especially for standout moments like the popular “Theradi Veethiyile” song and the subway fight sequence. He also shared that Rajinikanth himself appreciated the film’s posters and later acknowledged its success after hearing positive reports from Bengaluru. Lingusamy described Run as a “trendsetter,” noting how its portrayal of a relatable, energetic male lead influenced characterisation in subsequent Tamil films.
Starring R Madhavan and Meera Jasmine, Run tells the story of a young man navigating love and danger as he falls for a girl whose brother is a gangster. With its engaging screenplay, music, and action sequences, the film went on to become a commercial success and remains a memorable entry in early 2000s Tamil cinema.