South Indian film star Saravanan Sivakumar, widely known as Surya, initially had no plans of becoming an actor. The son of veteran actor Sivakumar, Surya started as a trainee in a garment factory, where he earned only 750 rupees in his first 15 days, eventually reaching 8,000 rupees a month. His dream was to save money, borrow some from his father, and open his own business. However, unexpected financial strains at home changed his path.
In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Surya revealed that his mother secretly took out a 25,000-rupee loan to support him, hiding it from his father. This sacrifice deeply moved Surya, inspiring him to pursue acting to help relieve his mother’s burden. He shared, “I entered the industry to pay off my mother’s debt. That’s how my journey began and how I became Surya.”
Recalling the pivotal moment, Surya said, “One morning, my mother told me about the debt, and I was stunned. I questioned why, despite my father’s success, we didn’t have the savings. My mother explained that our balance rarely exceeded one lakh.”
Surya’s journey to stardom wasn’t immediate; despite his family’s connections, he never aspired to be in front of the camera. But his mother’s sacrifice motivated him to take on acting roles. Today, he’s celebrated for his dedication and connection with fans, continuing to take on challenging roles even at 49.
Surya reflects on his career with gratitude, “During my first scene, thousands gathered without knowing who I was, yet applauded at the end. Decades later, the audiences may change, but their love remains. It’s for them that I continue making films.”
