‘Anbaana’ fans of Suriya are all set to take the internet by storm as the Tamil superstar celebrates his 50 th birthday on Wednesday (July 23). Widely regarded as an exceptional performer with a penchant for experimenting with his scripts, Suriya has cemented his position as one of the most adored stars of Tamil cinema.
Born as Saravanan, to veteran actor Sivakumar and his wife Lakshmi, he made his silver screen debut in 1997 with Vasanth’s Nerrukku Ner, The film’s producer, Mani Ratnam, suggested his stage name ‘Suriya’ to avoid being confused with another actor. After starring in romance dramas such as Poovellam Kettuppar and Uyirile Kalanthathu, the star ventured into the action genre with director Bala’s acclaimed film Nandhaa.
However, it was Gautham Menon’s 2003 hit Kaakha Kaakha that brought out the action avatar in him, propelling him into a much sought-after mainstream actor. Throughout the 2000s, Suriya juggled commercial mass cinema — films like Ghajini, which elevated him into a star, and Sillunu Oru Kaadhal — and off-beat roles — like Pithamagan and Perazhagan. After back-to-back hits with Vaaranam Aayiram and Ayan, Suriya famously reunited with his Vel director Hari to offer Singam, a blockbuster that would go on to define Indian mass masala cinema of the 2010s.
Recently, Suriya has enthralled Tamil audiences with his stellar turns in Soorarai Pottru, Jai Bhim, Vikram, and Retro. Celebrating the 50 th birthday of a superstar who gives his all to every role, we bring to you images of the actor from The Hindu archives.
Suriya with his father Sivakumar.
Suriya in July 2002
Suriya and Jyotika in a still from ‘Uyirilae Kalandhadhu’
Photo:
VINO JOHN
Actress Jothika and actor Suriya during ‘Take two’ chat session, at AVM studios in Chennai on May 03, 2004.
Suriya, Vijay and Ramesh Kanna in a still from ‘Friends’
Suriya and Jyotika during the promotions of ‘Perazhagan’ in 2004
Suriya and Trisha in a still from 2002’s ‘Mounam Pesiyadhe’
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BALAJI N
Tamil film actor Surya posing for a photograph session at his residence in T.Nagar, Chennai, on May 21, 2004.
Photo:
R_Shivaji Rao
Actors Suriya and Kamal Hassan in Chennai, 01-05-2004
Suriya, Sangeetha and Vikram in a still from ‘Pithamagan’
Actor Suriya in 2006
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K_GAJENDRAN
Actor Suriya and director Gautham Menon at E-Mail chat in Chennai, July 25, 2003.
Actor Surya in the Tamil film “Kaakha Kaakha”.
Photo:
K_V_SRINIVASAN
Actor Surya at the inaugural of the Tamil film “Sachin” in Chennai on December 8, 2004. The film has Vijay in the lead role with Jhoan as director and is produced by Kalaipuli
S.Thanu.
Photo: K.V. Srinivasan
STILL: TAMIL MOVIE: Surya and Jyotika in “Perazhagan”
Actors Suriya, Manobala (left) and Karunas (right) in the Tamil film ‘Pithamagan’.
Surya in a still from ‘Maayavi’
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KUMAR SS
Actor Surya and actor Karthi at the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the movie `Sivaji’ held in Chennai on January 11, 2008.
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GANESAN V
Actor Surya (ext right) with actor Ajith and his wife actress Shalini at the marriage of his (Surya) sister, Brindha, in Chennai on November 13, 2005.
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SRINIVASAN L
Suriya and Jyotika at the audio launch of ‘Pasanga 2’ in Chennai, on September 17, 2015.
Photo:
PTI
Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger with actor Suriya at a gym in Chennai on September 16, 2014.
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RAGU R
Suryia (right) and Mahesh Bhupathi in action at the Aircel Chennai Open 2010 tennis championship in Chennai on January 04, 2010.
Photo:
K_Ananthan
Actors Suriya and Karthi during a promotion for “Dope” clothing range in Coimbatore on November 19, 2009.
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K_Ananthan
Actors Suriya and Karthi during a promotion for “Dope” clothing range in Coimbatore on November 19, 2009. Photo: K. Ananthan
Photo:
MAIL PIC
Suriya in a still from ‘Singam’
Published – July 23, 2025 12:04 am IST
