When Films Fail, Why Are Critics Always The Villains?

Director Vignesh Shivan has shared an emotional note following the positive response received by his film LIK on OTT platforms. The filmmaker, who collaborated with actor Pradeep Ranganathan for the project, opened up about the challenges the film faced during its theatrical run and expressed gratitude for the renewed appreciation from audiences.

In his social media post, Vignesh revealed that many viewers had informed him they skipped watching the film in theatres due to the overwhelming negativity surrounding it online. He stated that while some films manage to overcome negative reviews, others struggle when public perception shifts rapidly.

According to the director, LIK was an earnest and original Tamil film that deserved more support and generosity from audiences. The filmmaker also spoke about the difficulties involved in making and releasing the movie.

He admitted that the film’s box office performance was painful to accept, especially after a promising opening weekend.

However, he noted that several acclaimed films in cinema history were not fully appreciated during their initial release and found recognition later.

However, there is another side to this debate. While online negativity can certainly influence audience perception, it cannot be held solely responsible for a film’s theatrical outcome.

In today’s social media era, almost every major release faces criticism, trolling, and negative campaigns. Yet, genuinely engaging films often manage to overcome that noise through strong word-of-mouth and audience support.

From a reviewer’s perspective, blaming negativity alone may be an oversimplification. Audiences ultimately spend their money based on the film’s content and theatrical experience.

Constructive criticism and audience feedback are also part of the filmmaking ecosystem, and not every theatrical disappointment can be attributed to external factors.