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Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Suriya says people call him ‘overacting actor': I can't be Karthi, can't be Meiyazhagan
Retro, directed by Karthik Subbaraj and starring Suriya, was released in theatres on May 1. As part of the film's promotions, the director and actor shot a 'rectangle table discussion' with music composer Santosh Narayanan. While talking about his work, Suriya candidly said to Karthik that he doesn't think he's a 'great actor' and that he can't deliver performances like his brother, Karthi. (Also Read: 'I stopped looking at reviews as they're no longer authentic': Retro director Karthik Subbaraj) During the discussion, Karthik and Santosh discussed how Suriya's career changed when he starred almost back-to-back in films like Kaakha Kaakha, Ghajini, and Sillunu Oru Kaadhal. The actor admitted that he got lucky, with directors trusting him to carry these projects. When Karthik brought up that Suriya tends not to take any scene for granted, no matter how small, he got candid and credited director Bala. Stating that he only aims to give his 'genuine best' even though he's not a 'great actor', Suriya said, 'I am not a great actor, Karthik. Some people will call me an overacting actor…so many people will have that opinion. But, I stick to what I learnt from Bala sir. I'm trying my best, not every time it happens. I try my genuine best. Now, take a film like Meiyazhagan. I can't be Karthi, I can't be Meiyazhagan.' For the unversed, Suriya worked with director Bala in the 2001 film Nandhaa. Suriya and his wife, Jyotika, produced the 2024 film Meiyazhagan, starring Karthi and Arvind Swami. The film received critical praise, particularly for its performances. In 2024, Suriya starred in Siva's Kanguva, which did not receive favourable reviews and underperformed at the box office. So, expectations were high on Karthik's Retro, but the film received mixed reviews and collected ₹60 crore worldwide in three days, according to Sacnilk. Suriya will soon be seen in yet-to-be-titled films helmed by RJ Balaji and Venky Atluri.
The Hindu
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
A Suriya retrospective as a new movie launches
In the Loyola College of the 1990s, a gawky lad was part of the B. Com class. He answered to the name of Saravanan and blended in with the regular crowd. In an institution where many students were known for the prominence their parents had, Saravanan was an exception. He did have an origin story, though, as his father was actor Siva Kumar, who largely preferred being low-profile. Not many knew this, and the youngster liked to keep it that way. He hung out with a few classmates and there was no bling. Sometimes, he would be with a few buddies near Bertram Hall, shooting the breeze. Individual identity At the same time Vijay was pursuing B. Sc (Visual Communication), he had already made his debut as an actor, and beyond the point of his being director S.A. Chandrasekhar's son, an individual identity was being carved. Obviously, there were a few, who hung around him with the lines being blurred between friendship and fandom. Saravanan later moved into the garment sector before finding a second wind on the silver screen through his debut flick Nerukku Ner in 1997. Incidentally, his fellow Loyolite Vijay was the other hero and the film, helmed by Vasanth and produced by Mani Ratnam, did well at the box office. And yes, Saravanan was rechristened as Suriya, the leading man, whose latest Retro has lapped up a good reception at the theatres. Back then, the debutant's nerves were evident and Suriya admitted in subsequent interviews that he felt awkward in his new profession. This was different from what transpired with his younger brother Karthi, who in his debut film Paruthiveeran in 2007, looked the part and was seen as a finished product. Evolved through years As the years went by, Suriya evolved, and he also found more validation through Friends in 2001, again co-starring Vijay. Finally, Bala's Nandhaa helped Suriya reveal his acting chops. This was no longer the leave-me-alone boy from Loyola. He was now an actor, willing to drop his shackles and merge into the character. Stardom was a step away, and once Gautham Menon's Kaakha Kaakha found its mark in 2003, Suriya's celluloid fortunes were in the ascendant. And just like Kandukondein Kandukondein helped Ajith Kumar gain an extra audience beyond the Vindhyas , Kaakha Kaakha helped Suriya in bridging the gender-divide and attracting more female fans. His career may have seen its share of ups and downs, but at 49, Suriya still has that aura. As Retro showed, his box-office initial pull remains intact as long as he gets good scripts. And the old Saravanan remains in touch with his college gang.
