Actor Soori, known for his comedic roles, expressed his thanks for the overwhelming support he received from his fellow actors and the film industry at the music launch event for his upcoming film, Garudan. The event saw the presence of notable figures like Vijay Sethupathi, Sivakarthikeyan, and director Vetrimaaran.
“I don‘t know if a platform like this will ever be created again,” Soori shared, acknowledging the significance of the event. “This is the biggest honor this film has received.”
He acknowledged director Vetrimaaran for his pivotal role in shaping his career, stating, “I would like to thank director Vetrimaaran, who changed my life, both before and after Viduthalai. If I stand here today with the confidence of being a lead actor, it is because of Vetrimaran.”
Soori also revealed that Garudan directly resulted from the experiences he gained while working on Viduthalai. He praised Vijay Sethupathi‘s pan-Indian appeal, stating, “Wherever you drink tea in India, Sethu Mama’s face is on the paper. As many languages as there are in the currency notes, Sethu Mama has acted in all languages. He is the greatest treasure of Tamil cinema.”
He recounted bringing Sasikumar on board for the film, highlighting the actor‘s willingness to support him. “After writing the story, everyone was happy when the director said Sasikumar would be suitable for this role,” Soori explained. “But we were hesitant about approaching him. I jokingly said, ‘A man from Madurai will even kill for tradition.’ They immediately gave me the responsibility of convincing him. After speaking to director Saravanan, he told me, ‘Sasikumar is ready to act for you.’ I am grateful to Sasikumar for this.”
Soori shared his close bond with Sivakarthikeyan, stating, “Thambi Sivakarthikeyan is my best friend through cinema, and my whole family loves him.” He recounted how Sivakarthikeyan had encouraged him to take on lead roles and had produced the film Kottukaali.
Soori admitted, “I don’t know for sure how I would have fared if other directors had directed me after Viduthalai. They see me as a protagonist. But director Durai Senthilkumar, who has directed four films, visited the shooting site at the request of Vetrimaaran. I loved his work during the shoot, so I agreed to act in his direction.”
Garudan, directed by Durai Senthilkumar and produced by K. Kumar of Lark Studios, features Soori, Sasikumar, Unni Mukundan, and Samuthirakani in prominent roles. The film, with music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, is scheduled for release on May 31st.