Manu Anand breaks the silence on 'Mr. X' failure; director says ‘The responsibility is completely mine’

Director Manu Anand has shared an emotional note about the response to his film 'Mr. X,' which was released in theatres on April 17. The spy action thriller starred Arya, Gautham Karthik, R. Sarathkumar, and Manju Warrier. The film received mixed reviews during its theatrical run. After its digital release on a popular OTT platform on May 14, the movie started gaining fresh attention from audiences across India.In his statement, Manu Anand thanked everyone who watched, supported, discussed, and even criticized the film. He said, “'Mr. X' was a film built on belief,” adding that the team wanted to create “a theatrical experience that felt emotional, unique, and engaging.”Speaking honestly about the film’s theatrical performance, Manu Anand admitted that the movie did not achieve the box office success the team expected. He explained that the film was released during a highly competitive week in Tamil Nadu due to the state elections. Even though the movie received positive feedback from several viewers, the collections remained below expectations. The director said, “As the writer and director of Mr. X, I believe the complete responsibility is mine.” He accepted the result with humility and added that cinema is both “powerful and unpredictable.” His honest words impressed many film lovers online, as he chose to openly discuss both the positives and shortcomings of the project instead of avoiding criticism.Manu Anand also reflected on the lessons he learned from the film. He said every movie teaches something important about storytelling, timing, and audience expectations. According to him, 'Mr. X' has become one of the biggest learning experiences in his career. “Every film teaches you something valuable about yourself and your audience,” he shared in the statement. Despite the theatrical outcome, the director said he is carrying these lessons forward with gratitude and respect. He also thanked the producers, cast, and technical team for standing by the project and giving their full dedication throughout the making of the film.The director expressed happiness over the strong response the film has been receiving after its OTT release. Manu Anand revealed that audiences from across India have been discovering the film on streaming platforms and discussing it passionately online. He said the appreciation messages coming even a month after the release have surprised him emotionally. “True storytelling will always find its audience sometimes immediately, sometimes slowly,” he wrote. He added that the digital appreciation has given him confidence that he was moving in the right creative direction. Ending the statement on a thankful note, Manu Anand expressed gratitude to viewers for their love, criticism, and support, promising to continue making emotionally honest and entertaining films in the future.