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 Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu (2009), 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.
Soori | |
|---|---|
 Soori in 2015 | |
| Born | Ramalakshmanan Muthuchamy 27 August 1977 Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Other names | Parotta Soori |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Children | 2 |
Career
editSoori 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 played 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 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
editAfter watching Thalapathi (1991), Muthuchamy adopted the protagonist's name, Surya, which was shortened to 'Soori' after he entered cinema.[8]
Soori lives in a joint family and has six siblings. He is married and has a son and a daughter.[9]
Filmography
editFilms
edit| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Maru Malarchi | Audience member | Uncredited role |
| 1999 | Sangamam | Crowd member | Uncredited role |
| 2000 | James Pandu | Railway porter | Uncredited role |
| Kannan Varuvaan | Man in a temple | Uncredited role | |
| 2001 | Ullam Kollai Poguthey | Illicit liquor smuggler | Uncredited role |
| 2002 | Red | Thief | Uncredited role |
| 2003 | Winner | Kaipullai's henchmen | Uncredited role |
| Ooruku Nooruper | Balan and Anandan's acquaintance | Uncredited role[10] | |
| 2004 | Varnajalam | Thief | Uncredited role |
| Kaadhal | Mansion mate | Uncredited role | |
| 2005 | Ji | College student | |
| 2007 | Deepavali | Fish seller | |
| Dhandayuthapani | Dhandayuthapani's friend | ||
| Nyabagam Varuthey | "Jalra" Soori | ||
| Thiruvakkarai Sri Vakrakaliamman | Police 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 | Soori | Winner, Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Comedian | |
| Gurusamy | Priest | Special appearance in the song "Thengaayil Nei" | |
| 2012 | Sooriya Nagaram | Mechanic | |
| Friends Book | Venugopal | Telugu film | |
| Mattuthavani | Panneer's friend | ||
| Kandathum Kanathathum | Mukil's friend | ||
| Manam Kothi Paravai | Nalla Thambi | ||
| Pandi Oliperukki Nilayam | Soori | ||
| Paagan | Vellayangiri | Also playback singer ("Simba Simba")[11] | |
| Sundarapandian | Murugesan | Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Comedian Nominated, SIIMA Award for Best Comedian | |
| Kai | Siva's friend | ||
| 2013 | Haridas | Kandasamy | |
| Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga | Sindru | ||
| Chikki Mukki | Karuvaya | ||
| Thillu Mullu | Mano | ||
| Thulli Vilaiyadu | Mano | ||
| Desingu Raja | Surya | ||
| Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam | Kodi | Winner, 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 Idhayam | Rahim's friend | ||
| 2014 | Jilla | Gopal | Nominated, SIIMA Award for Best Comedian |
| Rummy | Arunachalam | ||
| Pulivaal | Chokku | ||
| Bramman | NBK | ||
| Nimirndhu Nil | Ramachandran | ||
| Maan Karate | "Tiger" Tyson | Guest 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 Ramasamy | Guest appearance | |
| 2016 | Rajini Murugan | Thotathree | Nominated, 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 | Himself | Cameo appearance | |
| Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen | Kalyanam | ||
| Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae | Sooranam | Winner, Vijay Award for Best Comedian Winner, SIIMA Award for Best Comedian | |
| Thondan | Ramar | Guest 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 Guy | Cameo appearance | |
| 2023 | Viduthalai Part 1 | Kumaresan | Debut as lead actor[13] Winner, Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award for Best Actor |
| 2024 | Garudan | Sokkan | Lead actor |
| The Adamant Girl | Paandi | Lead actor | |
| Viduthalai Part 2 † | Kumaresan | Post-production also as lead actor | |
| TBA | Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai † | Young Kasi, Young Maari | Post-production |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2008 | Thirumathi Selvam | Amirtham | Sun TV |
References
edit- ^ "Actor Soori: I Am Not Against Temples". Outlook India. 9 August 2022. Archived from the original on 22 April 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Actor Soori in great demand". 16 January 2014. Archived from the original on 4 August 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ " 🙏 தயவுசெய்து என் கதைய திருடி படமா எடுக்காதீங்க " - The SS Podcast ft. Soori Muthuchamy (in Tamil). SS Music. 31 May 2024. From 1:31:00 to 1:31:45. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Parotta Soori and Pandi sing a kuthu number in Paagan Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Kolly Talk. 29 December 2011.
- ^ "Anbulla Ghilli Movie Review: Excruciating mess of a pet film". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ "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.