Suriya is an embodiment of hard work, sincerity and talent. This heart throb of million women had come a long way since his Nerukku Ner days. With Singam, Suriya completes 25 films in the industry in a career spanning 13 years and here is a tribute to this assiduous and handsome artist. Our heartfelt wishes to him to scale many more heights in the tinsel town and pray to the Almighty that he would keep the Tamil audience entertained for ever. A small trip down the memory lane:
1. Nerukku Ner
It was director Vasanth who spotted the gem called Suriya and focused the spotlight on him. Although it was a twin hero subject, it was enjoyable all the same. Suriya was not in his comfort zone and his awkwardness especially with his foot was perceivable.
2. Kadhale Nimmathi
Although the story line was good, Suriya did not have much to display as he was shrouded under many veterans in the film. A newbie Kavitha was his on screen partner.
3. Sandhippoma
This film directed by Indrakumar drew more flak than support for Suriya’s fledgling career then. He was featured with Preetha Vijayakumar and the film was an absolute bomb.
4. Periyanna
Directed by S A Chandrashekher, Suriya was cast opposite Vijayakanth. The film received lukewarm response at the box office.
5. Poovellam Kettupar.
Once again a Vasanth venture which brought together Jyothika and Suriya for the first time. The film was about two popular music directors, their ego trips and the attempts of their children in uniting them. An enjoyable clean family film and Suriya had certainly improved.
6. Uyirile kalandhu
Directed by K R Jaya, this film had Suriya and Jyothika coming together again with sibling rivalry as the theme with Raghuvaran playing Suriya’s elder brother. UK also had Sivakumar as Suriya’s dad. The songs and Jyothika’s performance were talked about.
7. Friends
This Siddhique flick witnessed the combination of Vijay and Suriya after Nerukku Ner. Friends had sentiment, comedy, romance and action all packed in the right proportion. Suriya was beginning to be noticed.
8. Nandha
Aha! Here comes the turning point in Suriya’s career. Director Bala had brought out a new dimension from Suriya - of that of an angry, intense, young man at the receiving end of life. His performance was well talked about. He was the lone hero for the first time and carried the film on his shoulder right through. Laila was his screen partner and Yuvan’s music for this film rings even now. Suriya went on to win the Tamil Nadu state award for best actor.
9. Unnai Ninaithu
Directed by Vikraman, Unnai Ninaithu had two heroines Laila and Sneha for company. Suriya falls for Laila but she leaves him for better pastures only to come back to him later to realize that he has found the true love in Sneha. Unnai Ninaithu was a typical Vikraman’s film and was a clean commercial entertainer. Suriya fitted his role.
10. Shree
After the success of Nandha came Shree where he was paired with Shruthika, granddaughter of Thengai Srinivasan. Shree again portrayed Suriya as the angry young man which did not go too well with the audience.
11. Mounam Pesiyadhe
By this time, Suriya’s looks were getting repetitive with colored lenses but this Ameer’s venture was a hit with Suriya playing Gautham, a strong adversary to love. Trisha played a pivotal role.
12. Kaakha Kaakha
The magic was slowly beginning to be woven with Gautham Menon at the helm of affairs. Anbu Chelvan remains a significant name in Suriya’s career graph and the crackling chemistry between him and Jyothika should be seen to be believed. Harris Jayaraj played a pivotal role in the success of this film. Suriya won ITFA Best Actor award.
13. Pithamagan
Director Bala made a casting coup of sorts when he signed Vikram and Suriya in this intense film which talked about friendship of an unusual kind. The cheerful, banter of Suriya was something different from the roles that he had earlier essayed and was a perfect foil to Vikram’s complex demeanor. He won Film Fare’s Best Supporting Actor award.
14. Perazhagan
By this time, Suriya was ready to try out different get ups and scripts and Perazhagan provided the perfect fodder to his acting histrionics. He was not concerned about his looks and had sported a hump on his back, a protruding teeth and a supreme self-esteem. Directed by Sasi Shankar, Perazhagan was Suriya’s first double role flick as Karthik and Chinna and also featured Jyothika again as his heroine. This time around the coveted Film Fare Best Actor Award went to him.
15. Ayutha Ezhuthu
Suriya’s first assignment with Mani Ratnam where he played the role of student leader Michael Vasanth to perfection. Although the film was not commercially successful, it won good reviews for Suriya’s performance.
16. Mayavi
This Singam Puli directed venture had showcased Suriya in a new avatar as the conman with a gift of the gab and a devil-may care attitude. His body language and looks were perfect not to forget the pencil line moustache and the loop of hair in the forehead who Jyothika loved to hate. A light hearted entertainer.
17. Ghajini
Director A R Murugadoss was instrumental in taking Suriya to the next higher level with Ghajini. The chiseled body, the tonsured head with many details tattooed on his body, Suriya wowed his audience. The suave Sanjay Ramaswamy is still the dream boy of many a women. Asin was at her best. This film gave Suriya an action hero image and he won a special award for best actor from Tamil Nadu government.
18. Aaru
Close on the success of Ghajini, Suriya joined Hari in Aaru which proved that Suriya can satisfy the class and mass as well. A must in the repertoire of an actor, this film was a mass commercial entertainer where he played Aarumugam the local baddie mouthing harsh dialogues. Trisha was his love interest.
19. Sillunu Oru Kaadhal
By this time, the chemistry and romance between him and Jyothika were much too evident which helped the film a lot. Directed by newcomer Krishna, ARR’s music lent a powerful hand to SOK. Suriya continues to charm his audience.
20. Vel
Suriya joins Hari again in this double role flick as Vetrivel and Vasudevan. A hardcore commercial potboiler but scored well for its taut and crispy narration. Vel had good doses of family sentiments and action neatly packaged. Asin as a radio jockey also had a meaty role.
21. Kuselan
In this P Vasu directed flick where superstar played the lead, Suriya played himself in a small cameo.
22. Vaaranam Aayiram
With VA Suriya raised the bar much higher for himself. His sincerity and dedication had everyone raving about and not to forget the six pack abs which was the cynosure of men and women alike. Suriya brought out the clear demarcation between an aged man, a youth and a teenager and had three women to romance in this Gautham Menon’s tribute to his dad. VA won him the state and Filmfare award for best actor.
23. Ayan
In this blockbuster hit of 2009 Suriya comes alive as an intelligent conman out to smuggle anything and everything with Prabhu as his boss and Tamannah as his arm candy. The racy action sequences and Harris Jayaraj’s music were the highlights of the film. An extremely successful commercial venture where everyone associated with the film went to the bank laughing.
24. Aadhavan
Suriya teamed up with K S Ravikumar, the man who knows the pulse of the industry too well and this combination did not disappoint the audience at all. Although Vadivelu’s comedy tilted the balance in favor of the film, Aadhavan established Suriya’s acumen in choosing his films in the right manner.
25. Singam
Suriya’s third venture with Hari, this Singam is expected to roar with a different cop story. The initial reviews suggest that Hari has not deviated from his path and has provided non-stop 2.5 hours of entertainment.
