We don’t know how he is down South but Suriya doesn’t seem to have typical starry airs about himself.

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

“I am working on my (South Indian) accent. In my first film (he pronounces it as fillum like most South stars) my Tamil accent works because the character is like that. But I know that I have to work on my Hindi more if I want to do more movies here. It was a pleasure working in Mumbai, with people like Ram Gopal Verma and Vivek Oberoi,” says Suriya of his last Hindi release, who is admittedly taking baby steps into Bollywood.

You can’t help but marvel when he declares that he doesn’t believe in a six-pack whereas it has become a must of sorts for all Bollywood films.

“I believe in fitness and I believe in showing off a fit body. But a six-pack has never been my thing. Also, I would never resort to taking steroids and pump up my body for a particular role,” he says.

Suriya also reveals that he has made quite a few good friends in B-Town. “I have become friends with John (Abraham) and I quite admire his physique — he is fit and he is healthy at the same time. I must also say that I admire Salman Khan, Hrithik (Roshan) and Shah Rukh — they have really defined the look of a hero today,” he says.

His base, says Suriya, will continue to be down South because that is where he has his primary audience. “My audience is there and I have established myself as an actor there. The South is a throbbing film industry where great films are made regularly and it’s a powerhouse of talent there. I am quite happy in my space there and intend for it to be that way. At the same time, I find that very often, the films made in Bollywood become equivalent to Indian commercial cinema (abroad),” he says, pausing mid-way and drifting away from the topic.

But yes, Suriya also has his eyes set on Bollywood now. “At the same time, I am now open to Bollywood roles because I feel I am now ready for it. I am reading a few scripts and you can expect some announcements soon,” he ends.