It’s a big day for Suriya, the dynamic actor from Tamil cinema. Known formally as Saravanan Sivakumar, he’s celebrated his birthday on July 23 (born 1975). He is a true powerhouse, holding two National Awards and six Filmfare Awards for his incredible performances. Many of his films have not only charmed audiences but also inspired major remakes in Hindi cinema.
Suriya’s knack for picking gripping stories and bringing characters to life has made him a household name. He’s the original talent behind several blockbusters that Bollywood later recreated. This shows his widespread appeal and the strength of his projects. His original vision often paves the way for success across different film industries.
Suriya’s Films That Inspired Hindi Remakes
Suriya has delivered many hits throughout his career. Some of these movies were so popular they later became successful Hindi films. Here are a few notable ones:
- **Ghajini:** The 2008 Hindi film starring Aamir Khan was a massive hit. But it was a remake of Suriya’s 2005 Tamil film of the same name. Interestingly, Asin played the lead actress in both versions.
- **Kaakha Kaakha:** Suriya starred in this 2003 film alongside his future wife, Jyothika. Bollywood later remade it as “Force” in 2011. That film featured John Abraham and Genelia D’Souza in the main roles.
- **Singam:** In 2010, Suriya played a tough police officer in “Singam.” Just a year later, in 2011, Ajay Devgn starred in its Hindi remake. Director Rohit Shetty went on to make several sequels to this popular action franchise.
- **Soorarai Pottru:** Akshay Kumar’s 2024 film “Sarfira” is also a remake of Suriya’s 2020 Tamil movie. The original “Soorarai Pottru” earned a National Award for Best Feature Film.
– Photo: X (Twitter)
Suriya’s Iconic Roles in Tamil Cinema
Suriya has taken on a variety of roles in Tamil cinema. He’s always ready to try something new with his characters. Here are some of his most famous roles:
- In the 2005 Tamil film “Ghajini,” Suriya played Sanjay, a businessman. His portrayal of a man seeking revenge for his girlfriend’s murder was truly remarkable. A.R. Murugadoss directed this intense film.
- He played an honest and strong police officer in the 2010 Tamil film “Singam.” K.E. Gnanavel Raja directed this action-packed movie.
- Suriya delivered powerful action and acting in the 2010 political drama “Rakta Charitra.” Ram Gopal Varma directed this impactful film.
- The 2016 Tamil film “24” was a time-travel story. Suriya impressively played three roles: a father, his son, and the villain. Vikram Kumar directed this unique movie.
- In “Jai Bhim” (2021), Suriya took on the role of a lawyer. He fought for justice for oppressed people, showcasing a different side of his acting. T.J. Gnanavel directed this critically acclaimed film.
- Suriya made a memorable appearance in Kamal Haasan’s 2022 film “Vikram.” His short role left a big impression. His character is set to have a larger part in the sequel. Lokesh Kanagaraj directed “Vikram.”
- In “Soorarai Pottru” (2020), Suriya played a character who dreamed of starting an affordable airline for the poor. He also played a warrior in this year’s film “Kanguva.” In the 2025 film “Retro,” Suriya will explore another time-travel story. His roles continue to be diverse and exciting.
– Photo: X (Twitter)
A Real-Life Movie Romance: Suriya and Jyothika
Beyond his impressive films, Suriya’s love story with actress Jyothika is straight out of a movie script. They first met on the set of their film "Poovellam Kettuppar." Their friendship grew strong during this time. Later, Jyothika even suggested Suriya’s name to the director of "Kaakha Kaakha." They starred together in that film too.
It was while filming "Kaakha Kaakha" that their romance truly blossomed. They started dating and became a well-loved couple. After a few years of dating, Suriya and Jyothika tied the knot on September 11, 2006. This powerful couple now has two beautiful children, a son and a daughter. Jyothika has always been a pillar of support for Suriya, encouraging him even during difficult times in his career.
– Photo: Instagram@jyotika