Who Is Suriya? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Suriya, born on July 23, 1975, is a prominent Indian actor and film producer known for his exceptional work in Tamil cinema. As of 2025, Suriya is 49 years old. He made his acting debut in 1997 and has since established himself as one of the leading stars in the industry. With a rich portfolio of films that showcase his versatile acting skills—from intense dramas to action-packed thrillers—Suriya has garnered a massive fan following both in India and across the globe. For more information, visit his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Film Producer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 23, 1975 |
| Age | 49 Years |
| Birth Place | Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | India |
Popularity
Suriya's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Suriya stands tall at approximately 5 feet 10 inches (177 cm) and weighs around 70 kg (154 lbs). His athletic physique is complemented by his dedication to fitness, which is evident in his roles. Suriya's body measurements are estimated to be around 40-32-15 inches, showcasing his commitment to maintaining his health and appearance.
His only 2012 release was K. V. Anand-directed action thriller Maattrraan. He played the role of conjoined twins, Vimalan and Akhilan opposite Kajal Aggarwal. The film received mixed reviews, and ended up being an average grosser.
Critics however praised the film's technical aspects and VFX, in addition to Suriya's performance, which earned him his tenth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. Suriya himself dubbed for one of his characters in the Telugu dubbed version while his brother Karthi dubbed for his other character.
J Hurtado of Twitch Film said, "Suriya is called upon to carry the entire weight of the film on his shoulders as he is surrounded by a very one-dimensional supporting cast." The film was a box office average.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Suriya hails from a family deeply rooted in the film industry, with his father, Sivakumar, being a veteran actor. He is married to Jyothika, also a successful actress, and the couple shares two children, Diya and Dev. As of 2025, Suriya and Jyothika continue to be one of the most admired couples in Indian cinema, often supporting each other's projects and public initiatives.
After making his debut in Nerukku Ner (1997) at the age of 22, Suriya landed his breakthrough role in Nandhaa (2001) and then had his first major commercial success with the thriller Kaakha Kaakha (2003).
Following award-winning performances of a conman in Pithamagan (2003) and a hunchback in Perazhagan (2004), he played a man suffering from anterograde amnesia in the 2005 blockbuster Ghajini. He rose to stardom with dual roles of a father and son in Gautham Vasudev Menon's semi-autobiographical Vaaranam Aayiram (2008).
His status as an action star was established with roles of a smuggler in Ayan (2009), and an aggressive cop in the Singam trilogy.
He also found success with the science fiction films 7aum Arivu (2011) and 24 (2016) and then went on to work in critically acclaimed films like Soorarai Pottru (2020) and Jai Bhim (2021), the former of which earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor.
Net Worth and Salary
Suriya's net worth, as of 2025, is estimated to be around $25 million. His earnings come from various sources, including acting, film production, and endorsements. His films often perform exceptionally well at the box office, contributing significantly to his wealth. Suriya's brand endorsements include several well-known products and companies, further supplementing his income.
Suriya is among the highest paid actors in Tamil cinema. For 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, Suriya was included in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list which is based on the earnings of Indian celebrities. His peak ranking on the list was at the 25th place, in the year 2017.
Suriya stood at the 9th place in its list of the most influential stars on Instagram in South cinema for the year 2021.
Career, Business, and Investments
Suriya's career is marked by several critically acclaimed films, including "Ghajini," "Singam," and "24." He has received numerous awards for his performances and has also ventured into film production with his company, 2D Entertainment. In addition to his work in films, Suriya has invested in various businesses and social causes, promoting education and health initiatives in India.
Prior to his career in films, Suriya worked at a garment exports factory for eight months. He did not reveal himself to his boss as Sivakumar's son, but his boss ultimately learnt the truth himself.
He was initially offered the lead role by Vasanth in his film Aasai (1995), but he rejected the offer citing a lack of interest in an acting career and the offer went to Ajith Kumar. He later debuted in Vasanth's 1997 film Nerrukku Ner, produced by Mani Ratnam when he was 22 years of age.
The stage name "Suriya" was bestowed to him by Ratnam to avoid a clash of names with established actor Saravanan. The name "Suriya" was frequently used for characters in Ratnam's films. Vijay, who co-starred with him in the film, would also go on to become a leading contemporary actor in Kollywood.
Social Network
Suriya enjoys a substantial following on social media platforms, with millions of fans on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. He often uses these platforms to share insights into his professional life, promote upcoming films, and engage with his audience. His active presence online allows him to connect deeply with fans, promoting not just his work but also social causes close to his heart.
Suriya's first release of 2010 was his 25th film, Singam directed by Hari, in which he played the role of a police officer opposite Anushka Shetty.
The film received positive reviews with The Hindu reviewer noting, "Suriya shows that be it a performance-oriented role or a formulaic concoction he can deliver", while Sify stated, "Ultimately it is Suriya who carries the film to the winning post.
His passion and the way he brings an ordinary regular larger-than-life hero character alive on screen is lesson for other commercial heroes." Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni stated that he became "a great fan of Suriya" after watching Singam.
The film won Suriya his second Vijay Award for Best Entertainer, in addition to his eighth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil, and subsequently went on to become the second highest-grossing film of the year. Suriya expanded to Telugu and Hindi films with Ram Gopal Varma's political drama Rakta Charitra.
The film was released in Tamil as Ratha Sarithiram, which was partly dubbed and partly reshot. Rajeev Masand noted, "The film belongs to Suriya, and is watchable only for the sheer presence of the Southern star, and for the intensity he brings to his part." Suriya then appeared alongside R. Madhavan and Trisha in a song in Manmadhan Ambu.
Education
Suriya completed his schooling in Chennai and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from the University of Madras. His educational background has contributed to his business acumen and understanding of the film industry.
Suriya attended Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan School and St. Bede's Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School in Chennai. He later obtained his under graduate degree in B.Com from Loyola College, Chennai.
