Imagine a world where Suriya Sivakumar, that versatile Tamil star, shared screen space with Prabhas in a magnum opus directed by SS Rajamouli. Sounds unreal doesn’t it? Well, it could have been a reality had the actor not turned down a pivotal role in that epic blockbuster called Baahubali.
This isn’t the only blockbuster that slipped through Suriya’s fingers. The actor, who is known for his discerning choice of scripts, has reportedly rejected several films that turned out to be massive hits. Let’s delve into five films that could have cemented Suriya’s position as a pan-Indian superstar.
Baahubali (2015): This needs no introduction. The magnum opus of Rajamouli was the epitome of reinvention in Indian cinema, and Suriya could have been a part of that. Though the actor later accepted that he made a mistake by rejecting the offer, it still stays as one big ‘what-if’ in cinema.
Dhruva Natchathiram (2024): This action-driven thriller came to Suriya before becoming a Thalapathy Vijay-starrer. If only he had accepted, he would have earned another feather in his action hero cap.
Thuppakki (2012): This AR Murugadoss directorial was planned first with Suriya. That high-octane role, that Vijay played, propelled the latter’s stardom to unexampled heights; one can only fathom what it would have done for Suriya.
Paiyaa (2010): This romantic action drama, originally offered to Suriya, was the one that propelled Karthi to stardom. The actor backed out from the film due to personal reasons, thus opening the doors for his younger brother.
Aasai, 1995—this was the critically acclaimed film that launched Vijay’s career. Interestingly, Suriya was the first choice for the lead role but was considered too young at the time.
While these rejections seem to be a loss of opportunity, Suriya has carved a niche with his consistent performances. Yet, the thought of what could have been continues to intrigue fans and filmmakers alike.
Interested in learning about other actors who passed up blockbuster roles?