Suriya turns 50: When Jyotika interviewed the actor for ‘The Hindu’ in 2004

Tamil celebrity Suriya, who’s celebrating his fiftieth birthday on Wednesday (July 23), and his spouse, actor-producer Jyotika, have for lengthy reigned as Tamil cinema’s most-adored superstar couple. The actors, who first met on units of 1999’s Poovellam Kettuppar, fell in love whereas engaged on Gautham Menon’s acclaimed cop drama Kaakha Kaakha (2003) and married one another in 2006.

On Suriya’s fiftieth birthday on July 23, 2025, The Hindu brings to you an unique blast from the previous — from greater than 20 years in the past — when Jyotika interviewed Suriya about working with one another, the qualities they like in one another and, in fact, why gossipmongers wouldn’t allow them to be. This text appeared completely on The Hindu on Might 11, 2004. S.R. Ashok Kumar recorded the superstar chat.

Jyotika chats with Suriya: Ought to gossip disturb our peace?’

Jyotika: While you began out as an actor, you had been noticeably low on confidence. However it took just a few movies so that you can purchase the panache of a seasoned actor. Can you set your finger on ‘that one movie’ which marked the transition from a tentative to a confident performer?

Suriya: Nandhaa (2001). The movie made me realise you might be heading in the right direction, provided that you retain your self away from the overwhelmed monitor. In offbeat roles, there’s great scope for appearing. Director Bala has additionally performed an important position in my transformation. As buddy and information, he has effected salutary adjustments in my ‘actual’ life as nicely.

THE HINDU ARCHIVES: Jyotika and Suriya pair up for The Hindu’s Take Two version, at AVM studios in Chennai on Might 03, 2004
| Picture Credit score:
VINO JOHN

In Photos: Celebrating actor Suriya on his fiftieth birthday

Suriya together with his father Sivakumar.

Suriya in July 2002

Suriya and Jyotika in a nonetheless from ‘Uyirilae Kalandhadhu’

Actress Jothika and actor Suriya throughout ‘Take two’ chat session, at AVM studios in Chennai on Might 03, 2004.

Suriya, Vijay and Ramesh Kanna in a nonetheless from ‘Associates’

Suriya and Jyotika throughout the promotions of ‘Perazhagan’ in 2004

Suriya and Trisha in a nonetheless from 2002’s ‘Mounam Pesiyadhe’

Tamil movie actor Surya posing for {a photograph} session at his residence in T.Nagar, Chennai, on Might 21, 2004.

Actors Suriya and Kamal Hassan in Chennai, 01-05-2004

Suriya, Sangeetha and Vikram in a nonetheless from ‘Pithamagan’

Actor Suriya in 2006

Actor Suriya and director Gautham Menon at E-Mail chat in Chennai, July 25, 2003.

Actor Surya within the Tamil movie “Kaakha Kaakha”.

Actor Surya on the inaugural of the Tamil movie “Sachin” in Chennai on December 8, 2004. The movie has Vijay within the lead position with Jhoan as director and is produced by Kalaipuli
S.Thanu.
Picture: Okay.V. Srinivasan

STILL: TAMIL MOVIE: Surya and Jyotika in “Perazhagan”

Actors Suriya, Manobala (left) and Karunas (proper) within the Tamil movie ‘Pithamagan’.

Surya in a nonetheless from ‘Maayavi’

Actor Surya and actor Karthi on the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the film `Sivaji’ held in Chennai on January 11, 2008.

Actor Surya (ext proper) with actor Ajith and his spouse actress Shalini on the marriage of his (Surya) sister, Brindha, in Chennai on November 13, 2005.

Suriya and Jyotika on the audio launch of ‘Pasanga 2’ in Chennai, on September 17, 2015.

Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger with actor Suriya at a fitness center in Chennai on September 16, 2014.

Suryia (proper) and Mahesh Bhupathi in motion on the Aircel Chennai Open 2010 tennis championship in Chennai on January 04, 2010.

Actors Suriya and Karthi throughout a promotion for “Dope” clothes vary in Coimbatore on November 19, 2009.

Actors Suriya and Karthi throughout a promotion for “Dope” clothes vary in Coimbatore on November 19, 2009. Picture: Okay. Ananthan

Suriya in a nonetheless from ‘Singam’

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Jyotika: Can we do a flashback and see Suriya the varsity boy?

Suriya: (With a resigned well-if-you-want-to smile) In class, I most well-liked the shadows to the limelight. Even throughout faculty festivals and occasions, I would favor to work behind the scenes. I was reserved, typically to the purpose of being thought-about a recluse (laughs). After I reached school, I began to open up. Even so, I used to be removed from being the cool dude. I might put on solely chappals, drawing taunts from my associates. If I wore footwear, my associates would ask me if it was my birthday (laughs). Then slowly I got here out of my cocoon. I used to be a part of the NSS and the school union as nicely. I might assist organise capabilities.

Suriya and Jyotika throughout the promotions of ‘Perazhagan’ in 2004
| Picture Credit score:
The Hindu Archives

Jyotika: As you had a liking for offbeat roles, I’m certain you’ll’ve grabbed the supply to behave in AVM’s Perazhagan .

Suriya: You stated it! Pithamagan (2003)was an eye-opener. It confirmed me that the grotesque might be engaging. As Perazhagan has enabled me to painting an offbeat character, it’s a movie after my coronary heart. After I noticed the unique Malayalam model, I advised myself that I might improvise on what Dilip had performed. Perazhagan will probably be particular to me for one more motive as nicely – I play a double position for the primary time. The ‘camouflage’ has been so full that after watching the movie, many discovered it troublesome to persuade themselves that it was Suriya who had performed the hunchback. Effectively, you have got additionally performed a double position within the movie. And one of many characters you essay is offbeat as nicely. Your ideas on the movie? (smiles)

Jyotika: The movie is after my coronary heart too. And for a similar causes. I play a double position. One in every of them is that of a blind woman. Each the roles have numerous depth. Having performed this movie, I really feel extra of an actress than I ever did. While you see that almost all movies are hero-dominated, I can solely thank my stars for touchdown this one. Hey, do you keep in mind that when it was formally introduced that I might be pairing up with you within the movie, the gossip mills had been grinding additional time? There have been disagreeable accusations that you simply had been recommending me to play the heroine.

Suriya: Ah! Let tongues wag! Why ought to we let gossip disturb our peace? The entire world is aware of that you simply had been chosen because the heroine for Poovellam Kettupar a lot earlier than the hero was named. Really Abbas was to have performed the hero, however, because it labored out, the mantle fell on me. As for Uyirile Kalanthathu (2000), the producer got here to the situation and requested you to behave as heroine. With Perazhagan too, you had been the producer’s alternative. So impressed was Guhan along with your efficiency in Priyamana Thozhi (2003) that he would have no one else enjoying the blind woman.

Suriya and Jyotika in a nonetheless from ‘Uyirile Kalanthathu’
| Picture Credit score:
The Hindu Archives

Jyotika: You might have acted with ‘n’ variety of heroines. So, you should be ready to evaluate my efficiency as a heroine…

Suriya: (With a well-this-is-an-unenviable-task look) It’s the prolonged shot that separates good actors from the mediocre. Solely an excellent actor or actress can pull off a prolonged shot efficiently. I’ve observed you accomplish that many a time. One other high quality that singles you out is your dedication. Throughout the making of Poovellam Kettupar (1999), you burnt the midnight oil and memorised the dialogue as if you happen to needed to sit for an examination the subsequent morning. That you just take meticulous care within the number of costumes and make-up highlights your professionalism. You’re the first alternative of many administrators and actors since you are keen to contribute to a movie greater than you need to. They discover your ideas and feedback invaluable. Right here is my verdict: you’re the finest within the business now!

THE HINDU ARCHIVES: Jyotika and Suriya pair up for The Hindu’s Take Two version, at AVM studios in Chennai on Might 03, 2004
| Picture Credit score:
VINO JOHN

Jyotika: (With a you-have-made-my-day-week-month smile) Thanks one million! What do you want in me as an individual?

Suriya: You might have many nice qualities, however your sense of humour beats every part else by a mile. Your capacity to maintain the snicker traces flowing is an enormous assist on the units. I’ve by no means seen you shouting at anyone. You respect the opposite individual’s house as a lot as you worth yours. You retain miles away from sporting a nasty costume or appearing in a scene that isn’t first rate. For these causes, I rely you as somebody particular.