A look at Suriya’s film career on his 50th Birthday

Saravanan Sivakumar was born on 23 July to actor Sivakumar and his wife, Lakshmi, the eldest of three children. His younger brother Karthi is also an accomplished actor and his younger sister, Brindha, is a playback singer.

Suriya made his entry in Vassanth’s directorial, Nerukku Ner produced by Mani Ratnam. It was Mani Ratnam who rechristened Saravanan as Suriya, as there was already an established Tamil actor called Saravanan. Suriya had earlier rejected the lead role in Aasai offered to him by Vassanth and was coerced into accepting his role in Nerukku Ner.

His performance in Nerukku Ner did not get rave reviews and his subsequent films – including his first solo lead in Sandhipoma – did not do much better. Even the highly anticipated Poovellaam Kettupaar scripted by Crazy Mohan and directed by Vassanth, did not impress critics or audiences. It was on the sets of Poovellaam Kettupaar that he met Jyothika.

His performance with Vijay in the blockbuster movie Friends brought him some recognition, but it was his performance in Bala’s Nandha that brought him recognition as an actor.

Vikraman’s directorial Unnai Ninaithu had Suriya opposite Laila and Sneha and was a huge box-office hit.

Suriya’s role in Ameer’s directorial debut, Mounam Pesiyathey brought him more recognition as an actor. The film marked the first lead female role for Trisha.

The turning point in Suriya’s career came with his role in Gautham Vasudevan’s second directorial, Kaakha Kaakha – a role that changed Suriya’s screen image, strengthened his screen presence and immediately elevated his career. It was during the filming of Kaakkha Kaakha that the blooming relationship between Suriya and Jyothika went viral.

He reunited with Bala in the critically acclaimed Pithamagan alongside Vikram, Laila and Sangeetha.

Suriya’s performance in his next film – Perazhagan – won him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

Syrya’s already impressive career graph was strengthened by his role in Mani Ratnam’s multi-starrer, Aayutha Ezhuthu where he shared the screen with R. Madhavan and Siddharth.

Then came Suriya’s megahit, Ghajini, the third directorial of A.R. Murugadoss. This was remade into Hindi and became India’s first 100-core grosser.

Sillunu oru Kaadhal was released 3 days before the wedding of Suriya and Jyothika and boosted the box-office takings. The film was later remade into Marathi.

Suriya enjoyed more box-office success with his dual role in Hari’s Vel and then enjoyed bac-to-back huge hits with Gautham Vasudev Menon’s Vaaranam Aayiram – where he played father and son – and K.V. Anand’s action thriller, Ayan.

His 25^th film, Singam, was the first of a successful trilogy.

Despite spirited performances as conjoined twins in Maattran, the film did not fare very well at the box-office.

In 2014, his highly anticipated Anjaan was met with largely negative reviews and eventually fizzled out at the box-office. Despite its bad showing, the film earned itself a permanent place in Film history as the first Indian film to have a 100% digital release.

His other highly anticipated Mass – his first film for director Venkat Prabhu – also failed at the box-office.

He recovered somewhat with the success of his home production Psanga 2 where he played a cameo role, thus cementing his position as a filmmaker. The film went on to win multiple awards.

Suriya’s next dual role in 24 was another highlight in his career, showing his prowess in playing a negative character and winning him numerous accolades. The film was a huge box-office success and was lauded for its technical excellence.

After the average success of Thaana Serndha Koottam, Suriya’s career began to wobble. NGK and the highly anticipated Kaappaan could not record success, but he bounced back with Sudha Kongara’s biopic, Soorarai Pottru and reached even greater heights for Jai Bhim which had a direct OTT release. The film was widely praised and aptly rewarded with numerous state, national and international awards.

Edharkum Thuninthavan was an average grosser, but his 10-minute cameo in Kamalhaasan’s Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial, Vikram reignited his following.

Suriya had another major disappointment with the mega-budgeted Kanguva which did not fare well and was trolled by critics.

Suriya’s last releasd film Retro – his first for director Karthik Subbaraj – had mixed reviews but became the highest grossing film of Suriya’s career.

His next film will be the RJ Balaji directorial Karuppu.

Surya also owns a oroduction company – 2D productions (named after his children, Diya and Dev) – that has an impressive success rate with the 17 productions that have had thus far.

Suriya launched the Agaram Foundation in 2006 to support his father’s NPO – Sivakumar Educational Trust –to provide educational opportunities for impoverished children.

Suriya has won 2 National awards, 6 Filmfare Awards, 5 Tamil Nadu State awards and literally dozens of others.

Suriya married Jyothika on 11 September 2006

Suriya turns 50 today.