At a recent promotional event for his upcoming film Maaman, Tamil actor Soori turned an ordinary stage into a well of raw emotion and powerful nostalgia. As he opened up about his humble beginnings as a daily wage labourer, when he could not even afford to buy a bun and instead sipped on tea, the auditorium fell silent—until tears flowed, both onstage and off. What began as a promotional appearance quickly became a heartfelt tribute to resilience, gratitude, and the people who stood by him when he had little more than dreams.
From Rs 20 a day to the hearts of millions
Soori opened up about his early struggles in Tiruppur, where he started working in 1993 alongside a group of friends. He recalled earning a daily wage of just Rs 20, amounting to Rs 140 a week. Out of that, he would keep Rs 70 for himself and send the rest home. He spoke of a nearby bakery that sold coconut buns for Rs 1.25, too expensive for his limited means. Often, he’d skip meals, sipping only tea while sitting and inhaling the tempting aroma of the buns he couldn’t afford.
It wasn’t just poverty that shaped Soori. It was also the kindness of strangers. He shared how hotel owners Govindannan, Selvannan, and Balu Anna supported him like family during his toughest days. Their compassion left a lasting impact on him, and he credited the soil of Tiruppur for teaching him some of life’s hardest lessons. The memory clearly moved him, as he spoke with deep emotion and gratitude.
Aishwarya Lekshmi in tears
The moment became even more poignant when co-star Aishwarya Lekshmi was seen wiping away tears as she listened to Soori's story. The emotion in the room reached its peak when Soori invited two of his former employers on stage and broke down while thanking them.
About Maaman
Tamil action drama, Maaman, brings together emotion, grit, and powerful storytelling. Directed by Prasanth Pandiyaraj and based on a story penned by Soori himself, the film is backed by K. Kumar under the Lark Studios banner. The film stars Soori and Aishwarya Lekshmi in lead roles, with a strong supporting cast that includes Rajkiran, Swasika, Bala Saravanan, Baba Bhaskar, Viji Chandrasekhar, Nikhila Sankar, and Geetha Kailasam. Maaman hit theatres worldwide on May 16, 2025, and is already making waves among fans and critics alike.
About Soori
Soori’s journey to stardom is one of pure grit and perseverance. Originally from Madurai, he moved to Chennai with dreams of becoming an actor, but after struggling to find roles, he picked odd jobs and worked as a cleaner and painter to support his aspirations. From blink-and-miss appearances to his breakthrough in Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu, where he earned the nickname “Parotta” Soori, his rise was steady and remarkable. Known for his comedic flair and lovable sidekick roles in several crowd-pleasers, Soori grabbed the attention as the lead actor in Vetrimaaran’s Viduthalai Part 1, which received critical acclaim. He carved a niche for himself in Tamil cinema. After Badava, he’s gearing up for his next releases—Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai and Mandaadi.
From Rs 20 a day to the hearts of millions
Soori opened up about his early struggles in Tiruppur, where he started working in 1993 alongside a group of friends. He recalled earning a daily wage of just Rs 20, amounting to Rs 140 a week. Out of that, he would keep Rs 70 for himself and send the rest home. He spoke of a nearby bakery that sold coconut buns for Rs 1.25, too expensive for his limited means. Often, he’d skip meals, sipping only tea while sitting and inhaling the tempting aroma of the buns he couldn’t afford.
It wasn’t just poverty that shaped Soori. It was also the kindness of strangers. He shared how hotel owners Govindannan, Selvannan, and Balu Anna supported him like family during his toughest days. Their compassion left a lasting impact on him, and he credited the soil of Tiruppur for teaching him some of life’s hardest lessons. The memory clearly moved him, as he spoke with deep emotion and gratitude.
Aishwarya Lekshmi in tears
The moment became even more poignant when co-star Aishwarya Lekshmi was seen wiping away tears as she listened to Soori's story. The emotion in the room reached its peak when Soori invited two of his former employers on stage and broke down while thanking them.
About Maaman
Tamil action drama, Maaman, brings together emotion, grit, and powerful storytelling. Directed by Prasanth Pandiyaraj and based on a story penned by Soori himself, the film is backed by K. Kumar under the Lark Studios banner. The film stars Soori and Aishwarya Lekshmi in lead roles, with a strong supporting cast that includes Rajkiran, Swasika, Bala Saravanan, Baba Bhaskar, Viji Chandrasekhar, Nikhila Sankar, and Geetha Kailasam. Maaman hit theatres worldwide on May 16, 2025, and is already making waves among fans and critics alike.
About Soori
Soori’s journey to stardom is one of pure grit and perseverance. Originally from Madurai, he moved to Chennai with dreams of becoming an actor, but after struggling to find roles, he picked odd jobs and worked as a cleaner and painter to support his aspirations. From blink-and-miss appearances to his breakthrough in Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu, where he earned the nickname “Parotta” Soori, his rise was steady and remarkable. Known for his comedic flair and lovable sidekick roles in several crowd-pleasers, Soori grabbed the attention as the lead actor in Vetrimaaran’s Viduthalai Part 1, which received critical acclaim. He carved a niche for himself in Tamil cinema. After Badava, he’s gearing up for his next releases—Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai and Mandaadi.
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