It is a well-known fact that celebrity public appearances come with a backlog of mobbed entrances and camera flashes. But for actors Suriya and Jyotika, the reality looks a little different, thanks to their children who keep the couple firmly in check.
In an exclusive conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Suriya refers to being in the public eye as the VIP syndrome, how it no longer follows him and Jyotika, and how their kids keep them grounded.
As the conversation shifts to how Suriya prefers to keep a low, modest profile in public as opposed to others who would take offence in not being recognised, the actor says, "There’s no VIP syndrome. When you’re walking in Mumbai, going to any place for food, restaurants on Bandstand... we’re able to just go out with the kids."
“I think our kids keep us grounded,” Jyotika adds. She claims they don't hype her and Suriya up, but instead give them an honest take. Suriya recalls a time he visited the office where his daughter was interning, and they recognised Jyotika, but not him.
Their daughter told him, “They didn’t recognise you... but they recognised Amma [mom]!"
To this, Jyotika jokingly adds, “That’s because it’s always the other way round.. The one time they say, 'Oh, we know Jyotika,’ is when we celebrate in the house," she laughs.
Jyotika also recalls another time she, Suriya and their daughter had stepped outside and how the tables had turned. Her daughter told her, “Mom, you’ve gotta up your game. No one knows you here,” she recalls, grinning.
“We have a very very grounded atmosphere at home, and he’s [Suriya] just a humble guy. It always has to be from within,” says Jyotika.
Watch the full interview on The Hollywood Reporter India’s YouTube channel.