At the grand audio launch of director Bala’s Vanangaan held in Chennai on December 18, actor Suriya took a moment to reflect on his career and express his deep appreciation for the filmmaker who played a pivotal role in shaping his journey in Tamil cinema. The star-studded event, which saw notable names like Sivakarthikeyan and Arun Vijay grace the stage, also highlighted the longstanding partnership and bond between Suriya and Bala, who had worked together on Nandha, a film that helped launch Suriya’s career.
Suriya, visibly emotional, took the opportunity to thank Bala for his faith in him and for helping him carve his path in the film industry. "If not for Nandha, there wouldn’t be Kaakha Kaakha, and without Kaakha Kaakha, no Vaaranam Aayiram, and so on. Thank you, Bala sir, for believing in me," he said. His words were a heartfelt tribute to the director, whose vision and guidance helped Suriya evolve into the successful actor he is today. Suriya’s admiration for Bala was evident in his speech, underscoring how significant Nandha was in catapulting him into the spotlight. The film was not just a career milestone for Suriya but also attracted the attention of some of Tamil cinema’s most influential filmmakers, including Gautham Menon and AR Murugadoss, who then offered him roles in Kaakha Kaakha and Ghajini, films that further solidified his position as a leading actor in the industry.
As the audio launch continued, Suriya reminisced about his early days in the industry and the incredible impact Nandha had on his career trajectory. While Suriya was initially cast to play the lead role in Vanangaan, he stepped away from the project in 2022 due to creative changes in the script. Despite his departure from the film, Suriya continued to show his support for the project, wishing the team all the best. "Vanangaan will be an important film in Tamil cinema. I hope the next generation will learn a lot by watching this film," Suriya said, further emphasizing the cultural and cinematic significance of the project. Arun Vijay, who was later cast in the lead role, also received praise from Suriya during the event.
The film, set for a Pongal 2025 release, features music by GV Prakash Kumar and technical contributions from Gurudev (cinematography) and Sathish Suriya (editing). Produced by Suresh Kamatchi under V House Productions, Vanangaan is highly anticipated not only because of its directorial pedigree but also because of its promise to offer an engaging narrative that will resonate with both audiences and critics alike.
While the focus of the evening was on Vanangaan, Suriya’s career remains at the forefront of Tamil cinema. His most recent film, Kanguva, directed by Siva, hit theatres on November 14, 2024. Despite its star power, the film received mixed reviews and a lukewarm reception from the audience, which didn’t live up to the expectations surrounding the film. However, Suriya’s fans are not disheartened, as he has a string of high-profile projects lined up in the coming years. With Suriya 44 and Suriya 45 currently in production, along with Vetri Maaran’s Vaadivaasal and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s standalone Rolex film, there is significant excitement about what the actor will deliver next. Each of these projects, backed by acclaimed directors, holds immense promise, and they could very well solidify Suriya’s position at the top of Tamil cinema for years to come.
With such a stellar lineup ahead, Suriya is poised for a major resurgence in his career, and fans eagerly await the opportunity to see their favorite actor shine in these upcoming ventures.
