Actor Suriya Reflects on Career Challenges and Global Reach of 'Soorarai Pottru'

Delhi — Actor Suriya, reflecting on his upcoming film Kanguva and his career journey, shared insights into the challenges faced by actors in an ever-evolving industry. He discussed the pressure of staying relevant, especially as each new generation of viewers brings shifting expectations.

"I think every actor goes through this... Every five years, the whole generation is changing... Every time, you pray for films that will be relevant," Suriya remarked.

Recalling a particularly difficult phase before his highly acclaimed film Soorarai Pottru (Udaan in Hindi), Suriya explained how he was searching for ways to reinvent himself and reignite his passion for acting. "I was in one of my lowest times before Udaan-Soorarai Pottru... I was hoping to change my image and fall in love with cinema again."

He credited director Sudha Kongara for helping him find that spark. The film, released during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, faced a difficult choice between a theatrical or an OTT release. Suriya described it as a "testing time" with restrictions and limitations forcing them to choose the OTT platform. "We had to sacrifice a theatrical release, but when you lose something, you benefit in other ways," he noted.

The wider reach of OTT brought Soorarai Pottru global recognition, with audiences worldwide praising the film. "People from all over the world watched the film, and their feedback was kind of amazing," Suriya said, grateful for the unexpected success despite the challenges.