The pre-release event of Suriya’s upcoming movie, Kanguva, saw an unexpected revelation from one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated directors, SS Rajamouli. The acclaimed filmmaker credited Suriya, specifically his promotional strategy for Ghajini, as the catalyst for his decision to take Baahubali to a pan-India audience. Rajamouli, known for reshaping Indian cinema by expanding Telugu films’ reach across language barriers, spoke candidly about how Suriya’s approach to his audience inspired him and the entire Telugu film industry. He also expressed a long-standing regret of not collaborating with the celebrated Tamil actor.
Suriya’s Influence on Rajamouli’s Vision
SS Rajamouli, the visionary behind blockbusters like Baahubali and RRR, is often regarded as the pioneer of India’s “pan-India” film movement, a trend in which movies cross regional boundaries to appeal to audiences across the country. However, Rajamouli emphasized at the Kanguva event that this movement didn’t start with him; rather, it was the Tamil superstar Suriya who first inspired him.
Reflecting on Suriya’s promotional efforts for Ghajini back in 2005, Rajamouli explained, “They just played an AV [audio-visual] that said I began the pan-India trend, but let me tell you frankly: the main inspiration for me wanting to take Telugu cinema beyond AP and Telangana is Suriya.” According to Rajamouli, Suriya’s approach to promoting his films outside his home state of Tamil Nadu was a bold step that challenged traditional boundaries in Indian cinema and encouraged others to follow suit.
Rajamouli recounted how he observed Suriya’s close connection with Telugu audiences over the years, noting that Ghajini was a turning point. “During Ghajini, Suriya would come here and promote his films. I would tell producers and actors that the way he grew close to the Telugu audience was a case study,” he said. Suriya’s efforts not only made Ghajini a massive hit in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana but also paved the way for his future films to reach enthusiastic Telugu-speaking audiences. According to Rajamouli, this success demonstrated how a dedicated effort to connect with audiences outside one’s own state could bring widespread recognition and love for a film and its actors.
Suriya’s Strategic Promotions of Ghajini and the “Pan-India” Mindset
Rajamouli further explained how Suriya’s tactics encouraged him to build relationships with non-Telugu audiences and inspired the Telugu film industry to think beyond regional boundaries. For Rajamouli, the success of Baahubali across India would not have been possible without the groundwork laid by Suriya’s approach. In fact, he advised others in the industry to consider Suriya’s promotional strategies as a “case study.”
The timing of Suriya’s approach to promote Ghajini was also crucial, as it came at a moment when Indian cinema was starting to recognize the potential of the multi-lingual market. Released in 2005, Ghajini initially resonated with Tamil audiences and was later dubbed in Telugu. By promoting the film in Telugu-speaking regions, Suriya tapped into an untapped market, gaining the love of audiences across states. This was well before the pan-India trend took hold, making Suriya an innovator in bridging regional divides and appealing to audiences across linguistic and cultural lines.
Rajamouli took this lesson to heart and adopted similar strategies when launching Baahubali, a film that would eventually become a cultural phenomenon and set new benchmarks in Indian cinema. The film’s success was propelled by its accessibility to audiences in different languages, which Rajamouli credits to Suriya’s pioneering influence.
A Missed Opportunity: Rajamouli’s Regret at Not Collaborating with Suriya
While the Kanguva event was a celebration of Suriya’s upcoming film, it also marked a poignant moment for Rajamouli, who revealed that he and Suriya were once supposed to work together on a film. Unfortunately, the collaboration never materialized. Rajamouli expressed deep regret over the missed opportunity, saying, “We were once supposed to work on a film together, but it didn’t work out. Suriya mentioned somewhere that it was a missed opportunity for him. But it’s me who missed the opportunity to work with him; I regret it.”
Rajamouli praised Suriya’s versatility as an actor and his powerful on-screen presence, adding, “I love him, his on-screen presence, and his acting so much.” He went on to express his respect for Suriya’s dedication to meaningful storytelling over mere association with celebrated filmmakers. In Rajamouli’s view, Suriya’s commitment to pursuing powerful stories shows his dedication to his craft and his fans.
Suriya’s Humble Response: “I Missed the Train”
The admiration between the two artists was mutual, as Suriya responded humbly to Rajamouli’s praise during the event. In a lighthearted yet heartfelt moment, Suriya compared Rajamouli’s success to that of an older sibling who sets an inspiring example for the entire family. “In a family, if an elder sibling does well, the rest of the family flourishes because you show the way. This journey started long back, sir,” Suriya said.
Acknowledging Rajamouli’s achievements, Suriya admitted that he felt he had missed an opportunity, humorously remarking, “I am shamelessly saying I missed the train. I'm still standing at the railway station, and I hope I get it sometime.” Suriya’s words echoed his admiration for Rajamouli’s accomplishments and acknowledged the director’s contributions to pan-Indian cinema.
The Lasting Legacy of Baahubali and Ghajini’s Influence
Today, Rajamouli’s Baahubali franchise has become a benchmark for pan-India films, showing filmmakers across India what is possible when they aspire to reach a national and even global audience. The film’s triumph is often regarded as the spark that set off a wave of similar ventures across different film industries in India. However, Rajamouli’s acknowledgment of Ghajini and Suriya’s influence provides a fuller picture of this movement’s history. By reaching out to audiences across state lines, Suriya showed that regional films could find appreciation and success nationwide, paving the way for movies like Baahubali, KGF, and RRR to resonate on a grand scale.
Rajamouli and Suriya’s exchange during the Kanguva event highlighted an important aspect of Indian cinema’s evolution: that creativity and innovation often come from collaboration and shared inspiration. While Rajamouli and Suriya may have missed the opportunity to work together on a project, their mutual respect and the impact of their individual successes continue to inspire others in the industry.
Their interaction at the Kanguva event served as a reminder that Indian cinema’s pan-India phenomenon is a collaborative journey, influenced by a spectrum of talented artists willing to push boundaries and explore new possibilities. As more directors and actors embrace the pan-India model, the legacy of Suriya’s pioneering promotional approach and Rajamouli’s grand vision for Baahubali will undoubtedly endure, shaping the future of Indian cinema for years to come.
In sum, while SS Rajamouli is often celebrated for sparking the pan-India trend with Baahubali, he insists that the real credit belongs to Suriya, whose efforts to connect with audiences beyond his home state of Tamil Nadu laid the groundwork for what would become a cinematic revolution. Through their shared dedication to storytelling and audience connection, both Rajamouli and Suriya continue to inspire a new generation of filmmakers to dream big and reach audiences far beyond regional borders.