Cinema VinesAt 49 years old, Tamil actor Soori has gone from earning a daily wage of just ₹20 as a labourer to starring in films that have pulled in more than ₹50 crore at the box office. His journey began in the early 1990s in Tiruppur, where he worked odd jobs with friends, earning a modest ₹140 a week before sending half back home. Even a simple coconut bun, priced at ₹1.25, was a luxury he could not afford, so he often settled for a cup of tea.
Born Ramalakshmanan Muthuchamy Thevar, he adopted the stage name Soori after the character played by Rajinikanth in the 1991 Mani Ratnam film Thalapathi. He started in the film industry in the late 1990s, taking uncredited roles and even painting walls to make ends meet. It wasn’t until 2009, when his performance in Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu earned him the nickname ‘Parotta Soori’, that he began to receive recognition.
Soori’s path to stardom has been fraught with humiliation. He recalled an incident on a set where he was asked to hand over his shirt to a replacement actor. Left standing in a towel, he watched the scene continue without him, a moment that left him feeling devalued. Despite such setbacks, he persisted, working alongside big names like Vijay, Rajinikanth, and Sivakarthikeyan in supporting roles.
The turning point came in 2023 when director Vetrimaaran cast him as Constable Kumaresan in the emotionally charged film Viduthalai: Part 1. The role showcased Soori’s range beyond comic relief, earning him critical acclaim. The film grossed ₹53 crore worldwide, and its sequel, Viduthalai: Part 2, added another ₹55 crore to his tally. Subsequent releases such as Garudan and Maaman brought in ₹59.50 crore and ₹50.75 crore respectively, cementing his status as a bankable lead actor.
From painting walls to commanding the screen, Soori’s story is a testament to perseverance. His rise from a daily‑wage labourer to a ₹50 crore‑earning star underscores the unpredictable nature of the film industry, where talent and opportunity can converge to rewrite destinies.
