section_path: Production/Casting
section_name: Casting
paragraph_text: Casting
  
  Suriya would sport two different looks in the film. One with a Fu Manchu moustache and mullet hair, and another with a trimmed beard, mustache, and a shorter hairdo. In mid-May, Pooja Hegde was reported to play the female lead opposite Suriya, marking her first film with both Suriya and Subbaraj. Her inclusion was confirmed on 1 June by the production house. The film would be her third Tamil film after Mugamoodi (2012) and Beast (2022). Hegde reportedly received a remuneration between ₹ 4 crore (US$470,000) and ₹ 5 crore (US$590,000). Subbaraj revealed to Ananda Vikatan that he cast her after being impressed with her performance in Radhe Shyam (2022). Following a look test, she began learning Tamil for her role. Aavni, daughter of actress Anjali Nair, plays the younger version of Hegde's character.
  
  After initially being reported as part of the cast, Jayaram and Nassar were confirmed during the film's preliminary shooting, with both playing important roles. The former's son, Kalidas Jayaram, was also reported to be part of the cast after being spotted during the shooting, thus reportedly marking his second on-screen collaboration with his father, following Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum (2003), after 12 years. However, Rajsekar Pandian denied Kalidas Jayaram's inclusion in the film, stating, "Kalidas came on the last day shoot of Jayaram sir when the team cut a cake that has been misinterpreted." Prakash Raj would also play a role in the film, marking his fourth collaboration with Suriya after Nerukku Ner (1997), Singam (2010) and Jai Bhim (2021). Vidhu, who portrayed the role of Shettani in Subbaraj's DoubleX, would play the role of a antagonist in Retro.
  
  Avinash Raghudevan, Karunakaran, Joju George, Singampuli, Sujith Shankar, Thamizh, Ramachandran Durairaj, Prem Kumar, Sandeep Raj and Remya Suresh were cast in prominent roles. While Karunakaran and George would make their respective fourth and second collaboration with Subbaraj after Pizza (2012), Jigarthanda (2014), Iraivi (2016) and Jagame Thandiram respectively, Singampuli would make his fourth collaboration with Suriya after Pithamagan (2003), Perazhagan (2004) and Maayavi (2005). Nandita Das would return to Tamil cinema after a gap of twelve years with this film. Although Kannada actor Dhananjaya was approached for a prominent role, he could not sign it due to scheduling conflicts. Shriya Saran joined the production in August 2024, and shot for the item number "Love Detox".
  
  Suriya would sport two different looks in the film. One with a Fu Manchu moustache and mullet hair, and another with a trimmed beard, mustache, and a shorter hairdo. In mid-May, Pooja Hegde was reported to play the female lead opposite Suriya, marking her first film with both Suriya and Subbaraj. Her inclusion was confirmed on 1 June by the production house. The film would be her third Tamil film after Mugamoodi (2012) and Beast (2022). Hegde reportedly received a remuneration between ₹ 4 crore (US$470,000) and ₹ 5 crore (US$590,000). Subbaraj revealed to Ananda Vikatan that he cast her after being impressed with her performance in Radhe Shyam (2022). Following a look test, she began learning Tamil for her role. Aavni, daughter of actress Anjali Nair, plays the younger version of Hegde's character.
  
  After initially being reported as part of the cast, Jayaram and Nassar were confirmed during the film's preliminary shooting, with both playing important roles. The former's son, Kalidas Jayaram, was also reported to be part of the cast after being spotted during the shooting, thus reportedly marking his second on-screen collaboration with his father, following Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum (2003), after 12 years. However, Rajsekar Pandian denied Kalidas Jayaram's inclusion in the film, stating, "Kalidas came on the last day shoot of Jayaram sir when the team cut a cake that has been misinterpreted." Prakash Raj would also play a role in the film, marking his fourth collaboration with Suriya after Nerukku Ner (1997), Singam (2010) and Jai Bhim (2021). Vidhu, who portrayed the role of Shettani in Subbaraj's DoubleX, would play the role of a antagonist in Retro.
  
  Avinash Raghudevan, Karunakaran, Joju George, Singampuli, Sujith Shankar, Thamizh, Ramachandran Durairaj, Prem Kumar, Sandeep Raj and Remya Suresh were cast in prominent roles. While Karunakaran and George would make their respective fourth and second collaboration with Subbaraj after Pizza (2012), Jigarthanda (2014), Iraivi (2016) and Jagame Thandiram respectively, Singampuli would make his fourth collaboration with Suriya after Pithamagan (2003), Perazhagan (2004) and Maayavi (2005). Nandita Das would return to Tamil cinema after a gap of twelve years with this film. Although Kannada actor Dhananjaya was approached for a prominent role, he could not sign it due to scheduling conflicts. Shriya Saran joined the production in August 2024, and shot for the item number "Love Detox".