Suriya pens heartfelt note after winning National Award for Soorarai Pottru, says ‘Special thanks to my Jyotika’

Directed by Sudha Kongara and produced by Suriya, Jyotika and Rajsekar Pandian, Soorarai Pottru stars Suriya, Aparna Balamurali in the lead, along with Mohan Babu, Paresh Rawal in.

By Monica Yadav -

July 23, 2022 - 3:51 PM IST

After winning over critics and viewers across the globe, Soorarai Pottru has carved a name for itself in Indian cinematic history by bagging all major accolades at the 68th National Film Awards. Helmed by Sudha Kongara (Puthum Pudhu Kaalai) and produced by Suriya, and co-produced by Rajsekar Karpoorasundarapandian, Guneet Monga and Aalif Surti, Soorarai Pottru stars Suriya alongside Aparna Balamurali, Mohan Babu and Paresh Rawal in pivotal roles and is based on the life of Captain G.R. Gopinath, Retd. Army captain and founder of the famous low-cost airline Air Deccan.

Suriya pens heartfelt note after winning National Award for Soorarai Pottru, says ‘Special thanks to my Jyotika’

The film won 5 of the main awards in the Feature Film Category. Namely:
● Best Feature Film: Soorarai Pottru (Tamil); Producer: 2D Entertainment Pvt.Ltd; Director: Sudha Kongara
● Best Actor: Soorarai Pottru (Tamil); Actor: Suriya
● Best Actress: Soorarai Pottru (Tamil); Actress: Aparrna Balamurali
● Best Screenplay: Soorarai Pottru (Tamil) Screenplay writer (original): Shalini Usha Nair & Sudha Kongara
● Best Background Score: Soorarai Pottru (Tamil) - GV Prakash Kumar

“We have always believed that Soorarai Pottru is an incredibly special story” said Manish Menghani, Director, Content Licensing. “The film was one of our first direct to service global streaming premieres and part of our strategic licensing partnership with 2D entertainment. Suriya, Sudha and the entire team have told a story that is sincere, humbling and at the same time makes your heart soar, much like the Capt. G. R. Gopinath’s dreams. To see the film receive this incredible honour just fortifies our belief in the movie. We’re incredibly proud that Soorarai Pottru is a part of Prime Video’s content selection for customers across the world to watch and get inspired by”

Actor and producer Suriya shared his elation, “I am absolutely humbled by the incredible honour that Soorarai Pottru has received. I am falling short of words to express my gratitude and truly applaud the entire team’s effort to bring this inspiring story of Capt. Gopinath and his vision. The film has truly proven that nothing can stop one from achieving their dream.”

Thanking everyone especially his wife Jyothika and his parents in statement, the actor wrote, “My heartfelt thanks for all the love and good wishes that has reached us and enriched our lives so far… We are ecstatic with the Five National awards for Soorarai Pottru. The overwhelming reception for our film which was released directly on OTT during a pandemic, has made our eyes well up in joy. Our happiness is doubled at this National recognition for Soorarai Pottru, as it is a testimony of Sudha Kongara’s many years of hardwork and creative vision of Captain Gopinath’s story."

“The Best Film award is a great recognition for team 2D and I thank them along with my best friend & CEO Rajsekar KarpoorasundaraPandian. Extend my gratitude to Director Vasanth Sai & Filmmaker-Producer Maniratnam who placed their faith in my acting abilities and gave me my first film, Nerukku Ner. My heartiest congratulations to my fellow Best Actor winner Ajay Devgn and other National award winners from Tamilnadu, Filmmaker Vasanth Sai, Editor Sreekar Prasad, Actor Lakshmi Priya Chandramouli, Filmmaker Madonne Ashwin and other award-winners from other States of our country, for the year 2020, in this 68th National Film awards."

Suriya also thanked his wife Jyotika for encouraging him to work on Soorarai Pottru. “My special thanks to my Jyotika, who insisted I should produce & act in Soorarai Pottru. My love and ‘Thank You’ to all those who have encouraged my efforts so far and to my Amma and Appa, Karthi and Brinda, who have supported me always. I dedicate this award to my kids Diya and Dev and to my loving family."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Suriya Sivakumar (@actorsuriya)

Sharing her thoughts on receiving the award, director Sudha Kongara said, “Soorarai Pottru has always held a special place in our hearts. It is the inspired story of a man that sincerely believed in spreading his wings and reaching new heights for the people, and with the jury recognizing our little film for this prestigious award, it is a truly momentous day for the entire team.”

Feeling gratified on winning the National Film Award for best actress, lead actress Aparna Balamurali shared, “It was a life changing journey for me to work on the film alongside such exemplary talents like Sudha Ma’am and Suriya. Receiving a National Film Award for Soorarai Pottru is truly an honour as well as a responsibility to work even harder on my upcoming films.”

“The passion with which Sudha and the entire team worked on the project was phenomenal. Receiving so many National Film awards has once again proven that a great film needs immense dedication and hard work, as was put in by everyone involved in the project. I’m happy that the film received such recognition at such an honourable platform.” said Rajsekar Karpoorasundarapandian CEO & Director of 2D Entertainment Pvt Ltd and co-producer of the film.