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Starting off as an also-ran actor Suriya’s rise as an actor has truly been one of the most remarkable stories of this century in Kollywood. Turning 40 today, he started off with family dramas and romantic films before the industry stood up and took notice of him for his portrayal as a rough and tough young man in Nanda (2001). Now, he is one of the biggest stars whose fan following has transcended Tamil Nadu. Here is a look back at five of his most memorable films:
Kaakha Kaakha: 
This was Suriya’s first big solo commercial success as an actor. The role of Anbuselvan IPS went on to become an iconic role in Tamil cinema for his gentlemanly behaviour and his honest, uncompromising ways when he has a gun in his hand. Overnight, there were scores of Suriya fans in town. His chemistry with his on-screen pair and wife, Jyothika also became popular.
Pithamagan: 
Vikram stole the show with his disturbingly haunting portrayal, for which he won a national award. Audiences and critics though, praised Suriya’s role too. The actor showed that he could pull off comedy too. The film was a huge critical and commercial success and helped the actor firmly plant his feet as an actor to be taken seriously.
Ayudha Ezhuthu: 
This Mani Ratnam film was only an average success at the box-office but Suriya was in fine form — action, drama and romance, he was pulling it off with ease. The movie had three lead roles and Suriya played the central role of Michael, an inspiring student leader mobilizing his peers to take the plunge in politics. Big directors and projects were coming his way and despite not making the kind of impact that it did, Michael was surely one of his better roles.
Ghajini: 
Suriya’s female fans simply skyrocketed after this film’s success. Till date, it is one of Suriya’s biggest hits. The film was a big hit in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala too and helped him gain a foothold across the country. Aamir Khan watched the film and remade it in Hindi. It also proved to be a big ticket vehicle for director A.R.Murugadoss, who was catapulted into the big league. The way he played out a short-term memory loss patient showed how far he had come as an actor.
Vaaranam Aayiram: 
Easily the best film of his and after Perazhagan, won another Filmfare award for this coming-of-age film. The father-son bond was never viewed the same way after this second Gautam Menon-Suriya collaboration. The kind of efforts the actor took in this film was nothing short of monumental. From playing a 16 year-old boy to a young armyman, a drug-addict, a passionate lover and of course, an inspiring father Suriya got the role of a lifetime and barely got a note wrong in this film.
Singham: 
With every emerging actor down south, the pressure of catering to the masses is axiomatic. It is an occupational hazard and there are more misses than hits by toeing a so-called success formula. Hari’s Singham though, was spot on. Yet again, he played a cop but Duraisingham was a stark contrast to Anbuselvan. Suriya’s body language, dialogues and energy in the film was scintillating and the film was a blockbuster. Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty remade the movie in Hindi and its success was replicated in B-Town too. The second installment of the film was a success too and shooting is underway for part three.
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