After 'Sikandar', AR Murugadoss reveals why Rajinikanth's ‘Darbar’ failed, takes lessons for the future

Rajinikanth’s film ‘Darbar’ arrived with massive expectations but fell short of delivering the anticipated success. The film’s director, A.R. Murugadoss, has now candidly reflected on the reasons behind its failure.

Though mounted on a grand scale, the film did not resonate with audiences the way it was intended to, and Murugadoss has opened up about what went wrong.

AR Murugadoss opens up on 'Darbar'

In a recent YouTube chat with film critic Bharadwaj Rangan, Murugadoss—who had earlier discussed the shortcomings of his latest directorial ‘Sikandar’ starring Salman Khan—spoke about ‘Darbar’. He admitted that the film could have been executed in a more polished and grand manner.

The story initially had several layers and complex journeys, but in an attempt to simplify, many elements were removed. This, according to him, made the film appear incomplete.He further acknowledged that opting for a cinematic, stylized approach instead of shooting in real locations around Rajinikanth may have been another misstep.

A film on father-daughter bond that lost its focus

Murugadoss revealed that the core of ‘Darbar’ was the father-daughter relationship. However, once actress Nayanthara was introduced into the narrative, the story’s trajectory shifted.

The Mumbai setting, along with its characters and events, also diluted the emotional essence. He now believes the story could have been stronger and more impactful had it been set in a different backdrop.

Lessons for the future

The filmmaker admitted that ‘Darbar’ was made in a very short span of time, with the script being written in haste. While his passion drove the project, the lack of time for refinement ultimately affected the final product. Murugadoss, who has often been critical of his own work, said he has taken ‘Darbar’’s failure as a valuable lesson and intends to create more nuanced and well-crafted films in the future.

What’s next for AR Murugadoss

The director is now gearing up for ‘Madharaasi’, starring Sivakarthikeyan, which is scheduled to release on September 5. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see how Murugadoss applies the lessons learned from his past experiences.

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