Suriya's latest release Karuppu crossed ₹300 crore in worldwide collections earlier this year. However, behind the scenes of this success were cancelled shows and last-minute financial troubles.
In a conversation with THR India, Suriya opened up about the financial risks he took to ensure the film made it to theatres, stating the decision to take on additional loans at the last minute was one of the most significant pressures he has faced, and that Jyotika's trust was what made it possible.
Speaking alongside Jyotika as the cover stars of THR India, Suriya broke down the situation that arose close to the film's release. "Thanks to her (Jyotika) again. It was a lot of financial burden on me. It came at the last minute, and for me to take those extra loans... she was trusting me and allowing me to take those loans."
He was blunt about what the stakes were for his family. "If something goes wrong, as a family, we were going to be facing the consequences together."
He described the decision as being outside his usual comfort zone. "Sometimes, whether you are in the industry for the longest time, these situations are a little above us. And it's that one leap of faith; the belief that you can overcome this, that you can return this loan..."
Jyotika, when prompted to take credit for her role in that moment, declined. "This was completely his work," she said. But Suriya pushed back on that framing. "Indirectly or directly, the family will suffer for whatever decision I take. That situation was a collective effort."
Jyotika said that their approach as a couple — across personal, professional, and financial decisions — has always been to stay on the same side. "We are in everything together. Even if it's parenting, we're always on one side of the page. We discuss and then reflect it to the kids."
On the Karuppu situation specifically, she said, "I think it was completely his generosity and him wanting to make the film work. It was a big step and I think he just went all out."
Suriya also credited the wider ecosystem around the film for making the release happen. He shared how RJ Balaji, who directed the film, spent more than two years on the project, and how several people's livelihoods depended on it getting a proper theatrical run. "It's a collective effort. Even the financiers were supportive. They were able to patiently wait and say, okay, we will take 25 per cent or 30 per cent back and allow you to release the film. Theatre owners, financiers... it was a collective effort from everyone."
Karuppu, which released earlier this year in May, faced issues hours before it's opening day shows, with reports suggesting that financial and distribution-related issues had surfaced in the final hours before release.
Watch the full interview on The Hollywood Reporter India's Youtube channel