The handsome hunk of Tamil cinema, Suriya continues to rule the roost.

Age and Height

Suriya was born on 23 July 1975 and is 43 years old as of 2018. He stands 5 feet 7 inches tall.

Marriage/Relationships

Suriya was in a relationship with actress Jyothika for many years, before marrying her in 2006. Suriya is known to have a quiet life and no other affairs with other actresses, before or after his marriage, are known.

Family

Suriya was born as Saravanan Sivakumar to Tamil director Sivakumar and Lakshmi. He has two younger siblings: brother Karthi (also a film actor) and sister Brindha.

Career

Suriya made his debut with the 1997 film Nerrukku Ner, which was a success. Over the next 5 years, most of his films were unsuccessful with a few exceptions like Friends and Nandha, the latter earning him a lot of praise. Since 2003, his career took a turn as he starred in numerous successful films. Kaakha Kaakha was a big success, as was Pithamagan and Perazhagan. He earned further critical acclaim for the 2004 drama Aaytha Ezhuthu. In 2005 he starred in Ghajini, a film that went on to become a blockbuster and earn Suriya national fame.

Over the next few years, Suriya appeared in commercially and critically successful films like Sillunu Oru Kaadhal, Vel, Vaaranam Aayiram, Ayan and Aadhaan. In 2010, he starred in the bilingual Rakta Charitra which earned him further praise. The same year he starred in Singam, which was again a huge success. In 2011 he appeared in 7aum Arivu and Maattrraan, both of which were successes. After giving many other successful films, Suriya appeared in the sci-fi 24 in 2016, which was a blockbuster. He also hosted the first season of the game show Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi in 2012.

Controversies

In 2018, two VJs mocked Suriya for his height on a show on Sun Music. This brought huge outrage from Suriya fans and the industry in general, and the VJs were subjected to online harassment.

Suriya was one of the Kollywood actors against whom a non-bailable warrant was issued in 2017 when they failed to appear in front of the court in a defamation case.

Favourites

Suriya loves to eat dosa, curd rice with pickle, and Thai cuisine. In his free time, he loves to watch Iranian films. He considers Kamal Hassan and Rajinikanth as his idols in acting. 

Awards

In a career spanning 2 decades, Suriya has received numerous awards. He has won 4 Filmfare South awards, 4 Vijay awards, 3 Edison awards and 3 Tamil Nadu State Film awards. 

Trivia

Suriya is related to Bhojpuri actress Nagma, as the latter is the half-sister of the former’s wife. With his first salary of 1,000 INR, Suriya bought his mother a saree.