By Rohit
July 23, 2025
Suriya was born on July 23, 1975, as Saravanan Sivakumar. He adopted the stage name 'Suriya' to avoid confusion with another actor named Saravanan.
He is the son of veteran actor Sivakumar and the elder brother of actor Karthi. The acting industry runs in the family, with his father being a respected artist in Tamil cinema.
Suriya made his acting debut in 1997 with the film 'Nerukku Ner', directed by Vasanth and produced by Mani Ratnam.
The film 'Nandha' (2001), directed by Bala, was a turning point for him. It showcased his serious acting skills and redefined his image.
From playing a romantic youth in 'Kaakha Kaakha' to playing a versatile role in 'Pithamagan' and playing dual roles in 'Vaaranam Aayiram' and '24,' Suriya is known for his immense versatility.
Suriya won the National Award for Best Actor for his powerful performance in 'Soorarai Pottru' (2020), based on the life of Captain G.R. Gopinath.
Surya runs the Agaram Foundation, which provides quality education to poor children in Tamil Nadu.
He appeared in Lokesh Kanagaraj's film Vikram (2022) as Rolex, which turned out to be a major role and marked his entry into the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU).
Suriya is married to actress Jyothika, and they have two children. The couple is admired for their down-to-earth, private lifestyle.