Before he became known as Soori, and even before he adopted the name Surya, he was Ramalakshmanan, a twin born in Madurai. He shared his name with his brother Lakshmanan, reflecting the traditional pairing of Ram and Laxman that many Hindu families favor. Growing up in a large family of six siblings, he often found himself captivated by Rajinikanth’s films, dreaming of a future in an industry that seemed out of reach.
In a recent interview with Behindwoods, Soori recounted the evolution of his name from Ramalakshmanan to the beloved screen persona recognized across Tamil cinema. He shared how his journey is not just a tale of fame but also one of deep admiration, perseverance, and hardship. “I was inspired by Rajinikanth to change my name from Ramalakshmanan to Surya,” Soori explained. “The Soori you see today is the result of that inspiration. I started as a fan named Suriya, entered the industry as Surya, and eventually became Soori.” He remarked with enthusiasm about his admiration for Rajinikanth, stating, “I am an absolutely crazy fan of Rajinikanth.”
The pivotal moment for his name change occurred during a screening of Rajinikanth’s film Thalapathi in 1991, directed by Mani Ratnam, where Rajinikanth portrayed a character named Surya. The young Ramalakshmanan was so inspired by this performance that he chose to adopt the name. As he pursued a career in acting, the name was eventually shortened to Soori, which became the identity he is known by today.
Soori’s journey into the film industry was fraught with challenges. At just 16 years old in 1993, he was working as a daily wage laborer in Tiruppur, earning a meager Rs 20 per day. He would send half of his earnings back home to support his family in Madurai, leaving him with barely enough to survive. Often, he had to skip meals and sometimes could only afford tea, struggling to even buy a coconut bun for Rs 1.25.
In 1996, at the age of 19, Ramalakshmanan Muthuchamy made the move to Chennai to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. Lacking connections in the film industry, he faced difficulties finding suitable roles. To sustain himself, he worked as a cleaner and painter, saving whatever he could to continue his acting aspirations. He frequented film sets, making himself known to assistant directors and unit managers, all while waiting for the elusive opportunity that could change his life.
His first break came slowly. He began with uncredited roles, often as a background actor in various films, earning next to nothing. He appeared in minor comedic roles, such as in Maru Malarchi, where he did whatever was necessary to get by, returning each day to repeat the cycle.
Soori’s breakthrough arrived in 2009 with the film Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu, a sports drama centered on a kabaddi team. He was cast in a memorable comedic role that included a hilarious scene involving a parotta-eating contest, which resonated strongly with audiences. This performance earned him the nickname “Parotta Soori” and, more importantly, opened doors for him in the industry.
From 2009 onwards, Soori quickly became a sought-after comedian in Tamil cinema. He appeared in a series of successful films such as Sundarapandian (2012), Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam (2013), Pandiya Naadu (2013), and Jilla (2014), where he starred alongside Vijay and Mohanlal. His collaboration with Sivakarthikeyan began with Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam and evolved into one of the most beloved actor-comedian duos in Tamil cinema, leading to further partnerships in films like Rajini Murugan (2016).
A lifelong dream of this Rajinikanth admirer was realized in 2021 when Soori appeared in Annatthe, sharing the screen with his idol, Rajinikanth.
Unlike many comedians in Tamil cinema, who often find it challenging to transition to leading roles, Soori successfully made that leap. In 2023, he was cast as the lead in Viduthalai Part 1, a political drama directed by Vetrimaaran, based on Jeyamohan’s short stories, where he portrayed Kumaresan, a police constable navigating moral dilemmas in 1980s Tamil Nadu. His performance was met with critical acclaim, being hailed as one of the strongest lead debuts in recent Tamil cinema. He continued this role in Viduthalai Part 2, set for release in 2024, further developing his character.
Soori is currently involved in multiple projects at various stages of production, solidifying his status as one of the most sought-after leading actors in Tamil cinema. His next film, Mandaadi, is a sea-based sports action drama directed by Mathimaran Pugazhendhi, a former assistant to Vetrimaaran. Co-starring Telugu actor Suhas and Mahima Nambiar, the film, produced by Elred Kumar under RS Infotainment with Vetrimaaran as creative producer, centers around catamaran racing and is set to be released simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu on September 10.
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