Soori (actor)

Last updated

Soori
Soori at Marudhu Press Meet.jpg
Soori in 2015
Born
Ramalakshmanan Muthuchamy

(1977-08-27) 27 August 1977 (age 47)
Other namesParotta Soori
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Comedian
Years active1998–present
Children2

Ramalakshmanan Muthuchamy (born 27 August 1977) [1] professionally known as Soori, is an Indian actor and comedian who predominantly appears in Tamil cinema. Debuting in 1998, he acted in several uncredited roles before his major breakthrough in 2009's Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu , where he earned the moniker Parotta Soori. After a decade as a comedian, his dramatic turn as a lead actor in Vetrimaaran's Viduthalai Part 1 (2023) received critical acclaim.

Contents

Career

Soori moved from Madurai to Chennai in 1996 with the intention of becoming an actor in the Tamil film industry. After failing to get any roles, he took up work in the city as a cleaner to fund his acting ambitions. [2]

He made occasional uncredited roles in films as a junior artiste, appearing especially in comedy scenes, such as in Winner (2003). [2]

Soori notably appeared in the critical and commercial hit film Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu (2009). The suffix "parotta" was soon attached to his name because of the film's famous 'parotta competition' scene, in which Soori's character stuns a hotelier by eating 50 parottas and getting ready to eat the same number once again. [3] He later appeared in a number of other films in well-received comedic and sidekick roles, such as Poraali (2011), Sundarapandian (2012), Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam (2013), and Jilla (2014). [4] His supporting roles were also praised in Rajini Murugan (2016) Idhu Namma Aalu (2016), Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran (2016), and Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae (2017).

In 2018, he was seen in both Sivakarthikeyan's Seema Raja and Vikram's Saamy Square. However, his comedic performances in these two films were heavily criticised, prompting Soori himself to respond. [5] He went on to have back-to-back releases with the successful Namma Veettu Pillai (2019) and the panned Sangathamizhan (2019). [6]

In 2023, Soori was cast against type as the main protagonist of Vetrimaaran's period crime thriller, Viduthalai Part 1. His performance garnered highly positive appreciation from critics as well as audiences. [7] This was followed by leading roles in Garudan (2024), a neo-noir action film, and Kottukkaali (2024), a drama-comedy about caste, as well as Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai (2024), a period-bending romantic drama. All three films widely received critical acclaim for their direction and performances, with Kottukkali and Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai being screened at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival and the 53rd International Film Festival Rotterdam respectively.

Personal life

After watching Thalapathi (1991), Muthuchamy adopted the protagonist's name, Surya, which was shortened to 'Soori' after he entered cinema. [8]

Soori belongs to a joint family and has six siblings. He is married and has a son and a daughter. [9]

Filmography

Films

YearFilmRoleNotes
1998 Maru Malarchi Audience memberUncredited role
1999 Sangamam Crowd memberUncredited role
2000 James Pandu Railway porterUncredited role
Kannan Varuvaan Man in a templeUncredited role
2001 Ullam Kollai Poguthey Illicit liquor smugglerUncredited role
2002 Red ThiefUncredited role
2003 Winner Kaipullai's henchmenUncredited role
Ooruku Nooruper Balan and Anandan's acquaintanceUncredited role [10]
2004 Varnajalam ThiefUncredited role
Kaadhal Mansion mateUncredited role
2005 Ji College student
2007 Deepavali Fish seller
Dhandayuthapani Dhandayuthapani's friend
Nyabagam Varuthey"Jalra" Soori
Thiruvakkarai Sri VakrakaliammanPolice constable
2008 Kee Mu "Nethili" Murugan
Bheemaa Chinna's henchman
2009 Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu Subramani
Naai Kutty Maari
2010 Kalavani Manikandan
Naan Mahaan Alla Ravi
Unakkaga En Kadhal "Blade" Balu
Unakkaga Oru Kavithai Vinoth's friend
2011 Varmam Guna
Aadu Puli Karuppu
Thoonga Nagaram Address informer for Theru Trisha
Kullanari Koottam Murugesan
Appavi Bharathi's friend
Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai Chandran
Bodinayakkanur Ganesan Gilaki
Pillaiyar Theru Kadaisi Veedu Soori
Vaagai Sooda Vaa Man at theatre
Velayudham Abdullah
Poraali SooriWinner, Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Comedian
Gurusamy PriestSpecial appearance in the song "Thengaayil Nei"
2012 Sooriya Nagaram Mechanic
Friends Book VenugopalTelugu film
Mattuthavani Panneer's friend
Kandathum Kanathathum Mukil's friend
Manam Kothi Paravai Nalla Thambi
Pandi Oliperukki Nilayam Soori
Paagan VellayangiriAlso playback singer ("Simba Simba") [11]
Sundarapandian MurugesanNominated, Vijay Award for Best Comedian
Nominated, SIIMA Award for Best Comedian
Kai Siva's friend
2013 Haridas Kandasamy
Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga Sindru
Chikki MukkiKaruvaya
Thillu Mullu Mano
Thulli Vilaiyadu Mano
Desingu Raja Surya
Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam KodiWinner, SIIMA Award for Best Comedian
Winner, Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Comedian
Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Comedian
Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara Thambi
Naiyaandi Soori
Pandiya Naadu Ganesan
Vellai Desathin IdhayamRahim's friend
2014 Jilla GopalNominated, SIIMA Award for Best Comedian
Rummy Arunachalam
Pulivaal Chokku
Bramman NBK
Nimirndhu Nil Ramachandran
Maan Karate "Tiger" TysonGuest appearance
Nalanum Nandhiniyum Sivabalan
Anjaan Raja
Pattaya Kelappanum Pandiya Muthupandi
Jeeva "Senior" David
Poojai Kutti Puli
Oru Oorla Rendu Raja Mike
Vellaikaara Durai Police Pandi
2015 Sakalakala Vallavan Chinnasamy
Paayum Puli Murugesan
Kaththukkutti Ginger
Vedalam Laxmidas
Pasanga 2 Sanjay RamasamyGuest appearance
2016 Rajini Murugan ThotathreeNominated, SIIMA Award for Best Comedian
Aranmanai 2 Devadas
Mapla Singam Anbuchelvan's friend
Marudhu Kokkarako
Idhu Namma Aalu Vaasu
Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran Sakkarai
Angali Pangali Chandra
Maaveeran Kittu Thangarasu
Kaththi Sandai Deva / Chithra Master
2017 Si3 Veera Babu "Veeram"
Mupparimanam HimselfCameo appearance
Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen Kalyanam
Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae SooranamWinner, Vijay Award for Best Comedian
Winner, SIIMA Award for Best Comedian
Thondan RamarGuest appearance
Gemini Ganeshanum Suruli Raajanum Suruli Rajan
Paakanum Pola Irukku
Savarikkadu Master
Podhuvaga Emmanasu Thangam "Tiger" Pandi
Katha Nayagan Annadurai
Ippadai Vellum Daivakolundhu
Nenjil Thunivirundhal Ramesh
2018 Sketch Maari
Pakka Bommai
Bhaskar Oru Rascal Rocky
Kadaikutty Singam Sivagamiyin Selvan
Seema Raja Adiasamy (Kanakku/Maths)
Saamy Square Sakthi
2019 Kanchana 3 Govindan
Devarattam Vetri's 4th brother-in-law
Vennila Kabaddi Kuzhu 2 Subramani
Kennedy Club Subramani
Namma Veettu Pillai Paramu
Sangathamizhan Soori
2021 Sarbath Arivu's friend
Udanpirappe Pakkadi
Annaatthe Pachaikili
Velan 'Mamookka' Dineshan
2022 Kombu Vatcha Singamda Karthik
Anbulla Ghilli Ghilli (voice)Voice only [12]
Etharkkum Thunindhavan Aavani Soolamani
Don Perusu
Viruman Kuthukal
Prince Abroad GuyCameo appearance
2023 Viduthalai Part 1 KumaresanDebut as lead actor [13]
Winner, Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award for Best Actor
2024 Garudan SokkanLead actor
The Adamant Girl PaandiLead actor
Viduthalai Part 2 KumaresanPost-production
TBA Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai TBAPost-production

Television

YearTitleRoleChannel
2007-2008 Thirumathi Selvam Amirtham Sun TV

Related Research Articles

<i>Ooruku Nooruper</i> 2001 film by B. Lenin

Ooruku Nooruper is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language film directed by film editor B. Lenin and starring Hans Kaushik and G. M. Sundar. Based on a 1979 novel of the same name by Jayakanthan, the film focuses on capital punishment. The film won two awards at the 49th National Film Awards, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vetrimaaran</span> Indian film director, film producer and screenwriter

Vetrimaaran is an Indian film director, film producer and screenwriter who primarily works in Tamil cinema. He is known for his unique filmography with major commercial success and high critical acclaim works. He has won five National Film Awards, three Filmfare South Awards and one Tamil Nadu State Film Award.

<i>Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu</i> 2009 Indian film

Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu is a 2009 Indian Tamil-language sports drama film written and directed by newcomer Suseenthiran, starring debutant Vishnu Vishal, Kishore, and Saranya Mohan along with numerous other newcomers. The music was composed by V. Selvaganesh with cinematography by Laxman Kumar and editing by Kasi Viswanathan. The film released on 29 January 2009.

Suseenthiran is an Indian film director and screenwriter in Tamil cinema. He rose to fame with his directorial debut Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu (2009).

<i>Naan Mahaan Alla</i> (2010 film) 2010 Indian Tamil-language action film

Naan Mahaan Alla is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by Suseenthiran and produced by Studio Green. It stars Karthi, Kajal Aggarwal, Jayaprakash and Soori. The music was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja with cinematography handled by R. Madhi and editing by Kasi Viswanathan. Set in Chennai, Jeeva is an unemployed carefree young man whose father becomes the target of a gang of young criminals after witnessing a kidnapping.

The Vijay for Best Début Actor is given by Vijay Sethupathi as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil (Kollywood) films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pandiraj</span> Indian film director and producer (born 1976)

Pandiraj is an Indian film director, producer and writer who works in Tamil cinema. His debut film, Pasanga (2009), and directed many commercially successful films. He has won several awards, including two National Film Awards and five Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sivakarthikeyan</span> Indian actor, playback singer, lyricist, film producer and television presenter (born 1985)

Sivakarthikeyan, also known by the initialism SK, or 'Prince' is an Indian actor, playback singer, lyricist, film producer and television presenter, who worked predominantly in Tamil films. He is a recipient of a Tamil Nadu State Film Award, four Edison Awards, four SIIMA Awards, and two other Vijay Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Appukutty</span> Indian actor and comedian

Sivabalan, better known as Appukutty, is an Indian actor and comedian, who mainly appears in Tamil films. He became recognized following his performance in Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu. His role as Azhagarsami in Azhagarsamiyin Kudhirai was praised by film critics and fetched him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vijay Sethupathi filmography</span>

Vijay Sethupathi is an Indian actor who works mainly in Tamil films. He has also worked in a few Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada films. He began his career in 1996 by playing small uncredited roles in films, before his first lead role in Thenmerku Paruvakaatru (2010), under Seenu Ramasamy's direction. 2012 marked a turning point in Sethupathi's career; all his three releases were critical and commercial successes, resulting in a rise in his popularity.

Vasu Vikram is an Indian actor who has worked on Tamil-language films and in television dramas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kasi Viswanathan</span> Indian film editor (born 1968)

Kasivishwanathan is an Indian film editor, who has worked on Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam language films.

<i>Vennila Kabaddi Kuzhu 2</i> 2019 Indian Tamil action sports drama film

Vennila Kabaddi Kuzhu 2 is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language sports action film directed by Selva Sekaran. A sequel to Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu (2009), the film is written by the original's director Suseenthiran and features Vikranth and Arthana Binu. An ensemble cast including Pasupathy, Kishore, Anupama Kumar, Soori, Appukutty, and Ganja Karuppu also plays pivotal roles. Featuring music composed by V. Selvaganesh, the venture began production in December 2016 and was released on 12 July 2019.

Arthana Binu is an Indian actress who works in Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu film industries. Coming from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, she made her debut in the 2016 Telugu film Seethamma Andalu Ramayya Sitralu. She is known for films such as Mudhugauv (2016), Thondan (2017), Semma (2018) and Kadaikutty Singam (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theni Eswar</span> Indian cinematographer

Eswaran Ramar, known by his screen name Theni Eswar, is an Indian cinematographer who works mainly in Tamil cinema and Malayalam cinema.

<i>Namma Veettu Pillai</i> 2019 Indian Tamil-language action drama film

Namma Veettu Pillai is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language action comedy drama film written and directed by Pandiraj and produced by Kalanithi Maran under the banner Sun Pictures. The film stars Sivakarthikeyan and Aishwarya Rajesh, with a supporting cast including Anu Emmanuel, Samuthirakani, Soori, Bharathiraja, and Natarajan Subramaniam. The movie marks the third collaboration between Pandiraj and Sivakarthikeyan after Marina and Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga. The music for the film is scored by D. Imman, while cinematography and editing is handled by Nirav Shah and Ruben. The film released on 27 September 2019. The film received positive response from audience and become a successful venture at the box office.

Nitish Veera was an Indian actor who worked in Tamil-language films.

<i>Viduthalai Part 1</i> 2023 Indian Tamil period crime thriller film

Viduthalai is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language period crime thriller film directed and co-produced by Vetrimaaran, who co-wrote the screenplay with B. Jeyamohan, under Grass Root Film Company and RS Infotainment. It is the first of a two-part adaptation of the short story Thunaivan (transl. Companion) by Jeyamohan. Set in 1987, the film follows a constable, who is recruited to arrest the leader of a separatist group. The ensemble cast includes Soori, Vijay Sethupathi, Bhavani Sre, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Rajiv Menon, Ilavarasu, Balaji Sakthivel, Saravana Subbiah, Chetan, Munnar Ramesh, and Pavel Navageethan.

Hari Vairavan was an Indian Tamil actor and comedian.

<i>Viduthalai Part 2</i> 2024 Indian Tamil period crime thriller film

Viduthalai Part 2 is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language period crime thriller film directed and co-produced by Vetrimaaran, who co-wrote the screenplay with B. Jeyamohan, under RS Infotainment and Grass Root Film Company. The direct sequel to Viduthalai Part 1 (2023), it is the second of a two-part adaptation of Jeyamohan's short story Thunaivan. It follows a police constable's conflict with the leader of a separatist group. Soori, Vijay Sethupathi, Manju Warrier, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Bhavani Sre, Rajiv Menon, Ilavarasu, Balaji Sakthivel, Saravana Subbiah, Chetan and Munnar Ramesh reprise their role from the first film.

References

  1. "Actor Soori: I Am Not Against Temples". Outlook India. 9 August 2022. Archived from the original on 22 April 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  2. 1 2 Kumar, Pradeep (28 September 2019). "From Madurai to Chennai, and 13 years later: Soori's fascinating journey". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2019 via www.thehindu.com.
  3. "Soori reveals an important secret about the Parotta comedy - Tamil News - IndiaGlitz.com". 3 June 2016. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  4. "Actor Soori in great demand". 16 January 2014. Archived from the original on 4 August 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  5. "Soori blasts critics for slamming his comedy in Seema Raja and Saamy Square". Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  6. "Soori: I know if it's a bad comedy even while acting; Sivakarthikeyan Vijay Sethupathi Namma Veettu- Cinema express". Cinema Express . Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  7. Kuniyl, Sarath Ramesh (31 March 2023). "Viduthalai - Part 1 review: Soori steals the show in this Vetrimaaran flick". The Week . Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  8. SS Music (31 May 2024). " 🙏 தயவுசெய்து என் கதைய திருடி படமா எடுக்காதீங்க " - The SS Podcast ft. Soori Muthuchamy. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024 via YouTube.
  9. "Soori's cute photos with his kids wins hearts!". IndiaGlitz.com. 21 May 2020. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  10. "Ooruku Nooruper Tamil Movie Scenes | Ooruku Nooruper Climax Scene | Hans Kaushik | B Lenin". YouTube . Archived from the original on 8 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  11. Parotta Soori and Pandi sing a kuthu number in Paagan Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine . Kolly Talk. 29 December 2011.
  12. "Anbulla Ghilli Movie Review: Excruciating mess of a pet film". Cinema Express . Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  13. "Vetri Maaran's 'Viduthalai Part 1' trailer promises an intriguing serious drama". The Times of India . 8 March 2023. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.