Actor Suriya has captivated fans across the Tamil and Telugu film industries, transcending language barriers with his performances. Recently, he opened up about the motivations behind his entry into the film industry, revealing that it was not a lifelong dream to become a star but rather a way to help his mother pay off a bank loan.
In a candid interview, Suriya shared that after completing his education, he initially worked for a garment company, earning just ₹750 for the first 15 days. His salary increased to ₹8,000 after three years, but he harbored dreams of starting his own company. However, everything changed when his mother confided in him about a ₹25,000 bank loan she had taken without his father’s knowledge. This revelation prompted Suriya to accept a role in a film directed by Mani Ratnam, as he wanted to repay the loan and relieve his mother of her financial burden. He stated, “I never thought about entering the film industry or becoming an actor; I just wanted to tell my mother, ‘Your loan is cleared. You don’t have to worry anymore.’ That’s how I started my career, and now I have garnered a huge fanbase as Suriya.”
Suriya made his acting debut in the 1997 Tamil film Nerukku Ner, directed by Vasanth and produced by Mani Ratnam, where he played a key role alongside Vijay. Following this film, he received numerous opportunities and quickly rose to stardom in the industry.
Currently, Suriya is gearing up for the release of his latest film Kanguva, directed by Shiva. The film is set to hit theaters worldwide on November 14. Recently discussing Kanguva, Suriya expressed excitement about stepping into a new realm, saying, “When director Shiva narrated the script, I felt like I was entering a new world. We’ve seen larger-than-life films like Baahubali, RRR, and Kalki 2898 AD. With Kanguva, we believe we are taking the first step towards something groundbreaking in Kollywood; no film like this has been made in Tamil cinema so far.”
As anticipation builds for Kanguva, Suriya’s journey from a humble beginning to becoming a celebrated actor serves as an inspiration to many.