S. J. Suryah: All You Need To Know About The Film Maker!

Justin Selvaraj Samanasu Pandian, popularly known by the name S. J. Suryah is an Indian film director, actor, playback singer, lyricist, and music composer who works predominantly in Tamil movies.

He started his career as an Assistant Director and became an independent director with the film ‘Vaalee’ in 1999. Later, Suryah directed several films such as Kushi, New, Anbe Aaruyire, and Isai. He made his acting debut with ‘New’ and went on to appear in movies such as Kalvanin Kadhali, Thirumagan, and Vyabari.

S. J. Suryah Physical Stats

S. J. Suryah Family

Suryah was born on 20 July 1968 to Sammanasu Pandian, a teacher, and Anandham. The actor also has an elder brother Victor Rajapandian and an elder sister Selvi.

S. J. Suryah Relationships

In 2020 January, rumors started doing the rounds that Suryah proposed to Priya Bhavani Shankar, his co-star in the film ‘Bommai’. However, Suryah later took to Twitter and clarified that all those rumors were baseless. The actor also stated that Priya is his very good friend and pleaded not to irritate him by spreading false news.

In August 2022, rumors were rife that Suryah would be getting married in the near future. However, the actor soon cleared the air by stating that it was just a rumor.

S. J. Suryah Education

The actor did his schooling at Vasudevanallur, his birthplace. Later, Suryah moved to Chennai and completed his graduation in physics from Loyola College. Though he also got an opportunity to pursue further studies at an engineering college in Madurai, he turned down the offer to try his luck in film acting.

S. J. Suryah Controversies

In August 2005, Suryah was arrested by the city police for allegedly hurling a mobile phone at Vanathy Srinivasan, a censor board official. According to Vanathy who filed a complaint with the police, the director threw the mobile phone at her as he was denied permission to add a song to his latest movie ‘ New’.

Earlier, the Madras High Court had issued directions to the film censor board to revoke its certification for ‘New’ expressing deep concern over the vulgarity portrayed in the film.

S. J. Suryah Profession

After struggling for six years, finally Suryah got an offer to work as an apprentice under K. Bhagyaraj, the renowned Tamil film director. During that time, he also made appearances in uncredited roles in films such as ‘Nethiyadi’ and ‘Kizhakku Cheemayile’. Subsequently, Suryah worked as an assistant director to Vasanth for the 1995 film ‘Aasai’. It was followed by ‘Sundara Purushan’ in 1996, a film directed by Sabapathy.

In 1999, Suryah turned independent director with ‘Vaalee’, a romantic psychological thriller. With Ajith Kumar, Simran, and Jyotika in the lead roles, the film became a box-office hit. The next year, Suryah directed ‘Kushi’, a film starring Vijay and Jyothika. Following its success in Tamil, ‘Kushi’ was remade in Telugu and it went on to become one of the all-time hits in Tollywood. Though the movie was remade in Hindi as well, it flopped at the box office.

In 2004, Surya made his acting debut with ‘New’, the third movie directed by him. He was paired alongside Simran in the film. In the subsequent years, Suryah focused on acting and appeared in films such as Kalvanin Kadhali, Thirumagan, Vyabari, Newtonin Moondram Vidhi, and Mersal.

In 2010, Suryah made a comeback in film direction with ‘Komaram Puli’. His other stint in direction was ‘Isai’ in which he also played the lead role.

The actor-director became a playback singer in ‘Vaaalee’ and went on to lend his voice to several films such as Vyabari, Newtonin Moondram Vidhi, and Isai. He also donned the role of a lyricist in the films Sundara Purushan and Purushan Pondatti.

As an actor, Suryah’s upcoming film is ‘ Mark Antony’ which is all set to hit the theatres on September 15, 2023.

S. J. Suryah Source Of Income

Suryah’s main source of income is from directing and acting in films. Reportedly, the actor’s net worth stands at Rs. 198 crores.

Lesser Known Facts About S. J. Suryah

• During his struggling years, the actor did many odd jobs such as that of a steward and cashier in hotels.

• Suryah was supposed to act in a film along with Amitabh Bachchan. However, after shooting for 10 days, the movie was shelved. Suryah was so deeply saddened by the incident that he rolled on the floor, crying. 

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