Suriya Biography: Movies, Songs, TV Shows, Age, Net Worth, Wikipedia, Instagram, Controversy, Wife, Children, Family

Saravanan Sivakumar, known professionally as Suriya, is a distinguished Indian actor and film producer predominantly active in Tamil cinema.

He gained prominence with his role as Anbuselvan, a dedicated police officer, in the 2003 action thriller Kaakha Kaakha.

This performance established him as a leading figure in the industry. Beyond acting, Suriya is recognized for his philanthropic endeavors and entrepreneurial ventures within the film industry.

Profile

• Full name: Saravanan Sivakumar
• Nickname: Suriya
• Date of birth: July 23, 1975
• Age: 50 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
• State of origin: Tamil Nadu
• Nationality: Indian
• Profession: Actor, Film Producer
• Height: 5 feet 7 inches (1.73 meters)
• Parents: Father: Sivakumar, Mother: Lakshmi Sivakumar
• Siblings: Brother: Karthi Sivakumar, Sister: Brindha Sivakumar
• Spouse: Jyothika
• Children: Diya Saravanan and Dev Saravanan
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Hinduism
• Ethnicity: Tamil
• Net worth: $25 million

Early Life and Education

Suriya Sivakumar, now at the age of 50, was born on July 23, 1975, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He is the eldest son of veteran Tamil actor Sivakumar and his wife, Lakshmi Sivakumar.

Suriya has two siblings: a brother, Karthi Sivakumar, who is also a renowned actor in Tamil cinema, and a sister, Brindha Sivakumar, a noted Indian singer. He practices Hinduism, reflecting his family’s religious beliefs.

For his education, Suriya attended Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan School and St. Bede’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School in Chennai. He later enrolled at Loyola College, Chennai, where he completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Personal Life

Suriya met actress Jyothika during the filming of Poovellam Kettuppar in 1999. Their professional collaboration blossomed into a romantic relationship over the years. After several years of courtship, Suriya and Jyothika married on September 11, 2006, in a private ceremony attended by family and close friends.

The couple has two children: a daughter named Diya, born in 2007, and a son named Dev, born in 2010. Suriya is known for maintaining a balanced family life, often sharing moments with his wife and children away from the public eye.

Career

Suriya commenced his acting career in 1997 with the Tamil film Nerrukku Ner, directed by Vasanth. Initially, he faced challenges in establishing himself, taking on roles in films like Periyanna and Poovellam Kettuppar.

His breakthrough came in 2001 with Nandha, where his portrayal of an ex-convict garnered critical acclaim. This success was followed by notable performances in Kaakha Kaakha (2003), where he played a dedicated police officer, and Pithamagan (2003), which showcased his versatility as an actor.

In 2005, Suriya starred in Ghajini, portraying a man with short-term memory loss, a role that earned him widespread recognition. He continued to solidify his status with films like Vaaranam Aayiram (2008), Ayan (2009), and the Singam series, beginning in 2010, where he played a righteous police officer.

Beyond acting, Suriya ventured into film production, establishing the 2D Entertainment production company. Under this banner, he has produced films such as 36 Vayadhinile (2015) and Soorarai Pottru (2020), the latter receiving critical acclaim.

Suriya is also known for his philanthropic efforts, notably through the Agaram Foundation, which focuses on educational initiatives for underprivileged children in Tamil Nadu.

Awards

Suriya‘s talent has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations throughout his career. He has received multiple Filmfare Awards South, including Best Actor for Nandha, Pithamagan, and Vaaranam Aayiram.

Additionally, he has been honored with Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for his performances in various films. His role in Soorarai Pottru (2020) earned him critical acclaim and several accolades, further cementing his status as a leading actor in Indian cinema.

Net Worth

Suriya‘s net worth is estimated to be $25 million. This wealth primarily stems from his successful career in acting and film production.

Controversy

Suriya Sivakumar has been involved in several controversies throughout his career, particularly concerning his outspoken views on educational policies in India.

In 2019, he publicly criticized the Central Government’s Draft National Education Policy (NEP), arguing that it would disproportionately affect students from rural areas by imposing additional entrance and qualifying examinations, as well as enforcing a three-language formula in Tamil Nadu.

His remarks drew criticism from political figures, including leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

In September 2020, following the suicides of three students related to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), Suriya issued a statement condemning the examination system.

He criticized the government for enacting laws that he believed created inequalities and questioned the judiciary for conducting court proceedings via video conferencing while mandating in-person examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He likened NEET to “manuneethi” and referenced a tale from the Mahabharata, suggesting that the skills and abilities of children should not be determined by a single test.

He urged the public to raise their voices against NEET, which he claimed prevented students from ordinary families from pursuing medical courses. These statements led to a Madras High Court judge suggesting contempt action against Suriya, although this was opposed by six retired judges.

Additionally, Suriya‘s wife, actress Jyothika, faced criticism for suggesting that contributions should be made to schools and hospitals comparable to those made to temples. Although her remarks were condemned by the BJP and other right-wing organizations, they received widespread support from advocates for equal access to healthcare and education.

In April 2023, Suriya and his family visited the Kheezadi Museum, a visit arranged by a Member of Parliament. While the family enjoyed their time at the museum, the public was reportedly made to wait outside until their visit concluded, leading to public dissatisfaction and criticism regarding the preferential treatment.

Social Media

• Instagram: @actorsuriya
• X: @Suriya_offl

Filmography

• Nerukku Ner (1997)
• Nandha (2001)
• Kaakha Kaakha (2003)
• Pithamagan (2003)
• Ghajini (2005)
• Vaaranam Aayiram (2008)
• Ayan (2009)
• Singam (2010)
• 7aum Arivu (2011)
• 24 (2016)
• Soorarai Pottru (2020)
• Jai Bhim (2021)
• Etharkkum Thunindhavan (2022)
• VaadiVaasal (2025)

Books

• Ippadikku Suriya (2007)