Actor Suriya, who received the National Award for Best Actor from President Draupadi Murmu for his sterling performance as ‘Maara’ in director Sudha Kongara’s Tamil film ‘Soorarai Pottru’, has dedicated the award to his ‘Anbaana fans’.

Taking to Twitter on Saturday to express his gratitude, Suriya said: “Ever grateful Sudha! Hearty congratulations to all the winners. This one’s for you Anbana fans!! #SooraraiPottru #NationalFilmAwards.”

The actor also responded to a tweet by Ajay Devgn, who had along with Suriya jointly won the Best Actor Award for his role in the Hindi film, ‘Tanhaji – The Unsung Warrior’.

Ajay Devgn had initially tweeted: “It was fantastic to share time with my esteemed colleague & fellow best actor award winner, Suriya. Deeply respect his talent and love his movies.”

Suriya responded to Ajay’s tweet: “Thank you for the love and warmth sir! So nice to have shared this moment with youa Lots of respect. Waiting for ‘Kaithi’ and the next ‘Singham’.”

‘Soorarai Pottru’, which was partly inspired by events from the life of Air Deccan founder Captain G. R. Gopinath, swept five National Awards including the awards for Best Feature Film, Best Actor and Best Actress at the 68th National Film Awards.

Expressing gratitude to mentors, family, friends and fans, actor Suriya, who jointly won the National Award for Best Actor for his performance in ‘Soorarai Pottru’ along with Ajay Devgn, dedicated the award to his children, Diya and Dev, and to his family.

Soon after congratulatory messages began pouring in on Friday, when the 68th National Film Awards were announced in New Delhi, Suriya took to Twitter to express his gratitude.

He said, “Vanakkam, My heartfelt thanks for all the love and good wishes that has reached us and enriched our lives so far.We are ecstatic with the five National Awards for ‘Soorarai Pottru’. The overwhelming reception for our film, which was released directly on OTT during a pandemic, has made our eyes well up in joy.”

“Our happiness is doubled at this National recognition for ‘Soorarai Pottru’ as it is a testimony of Sudha Kongara’s many years of hard work and creative vision of Captain Gopinath’s story.”

Congratulating other members of his team who had won the National Award, the actor said, “The Best Film Award is a great recognition for team 2D and I thank them along with my best friend and CEO Rajsekar Karpoorasundara Pandian.”

The actor also expressed his gratitude to the makers of his first film, ‘Nerukku Ner’. “I extend my gratitude to director Vasanth Sai and filmmaker Mani Ratnam, who placed their faith in my acting abilities and gave me my first film, ‘Nerukku Ner’,” Suriya said and congratulated his fellow awardee, Ajay Devgn and other award winners from Tamil Nadu and the other states of the country.

“My special thanks to my Jyotika, who insisted I should produce and act in ‘Soorarai Pottru’,” he said and added, “My love and ‘Thank You’ to all those who have encouraged my efforts so far and to my amma and appa, Karthi and Brinda, who have supported me always. I dedicate this award to my kids Diya and Dev and to my loving family.”

Looking to thank all his fans, whom he considers his brothers and sisters, Suriya said, “I share this joyous moment with all my brothers and sisters who are out there, who have shown me immense love and acceptance right through my career. My heartfelt thanks to you all my anbaana fans.”

Stating that the National Award had given him the motivation to work harder and walk his talk, the actor said that he would strive to give good films, now and always. He also thanked the government and the National Awards Jury for the recognition.

Actor Suriya has done a cameo in the Hindi remake of director Sudha Kongara’s super hit Tamil film ‘Soorarai Pottru’, which was partly inspired by events from the life of Air Deccan founder Captain GR Gopinath.

Confirming that he had done a cameo in the film, Suriya tweeted, “Akshay Kumar sir to see you as Vir was nostalgic! Sudha Kongara, can see our story beautifully coming alive again #Maara! Enjoyed every minute with team ‘Soorarai Pottru’ Hindi in a brief cameo!”

Actor Suriya, who played the lead in the original, chose to participate in the pooja of the Hindi remake, which features Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Radhika Madan in the lead.

The Hindi version is being produced by Suriya’s production house, 2D Entertainment, along with Abudantia Entertainment and Cape Good Films on a lavish scale. 2D Entertainment will be making its debut in Hindi film production with this film.

Sudha Kongara, who directed the Tamil version of ‘Soorarai Pottru’, is directing the Hindi version also. Niketh Bommi is the cinematographer of this film, which has music by G V Prakash.

Suriya had flown to Mumbai to participate in the inaugural function of the Hindi version, after Akshay Kumar made a request to him.

Suriya scored a massive hit with Soorarai Pottru and the film received wide appreciation from all over the country. The film is going to be remade in Bollywood and Sudha Kongara who directed the original will direct the film. Suriya’s 2D Entertainment along with Abundantia Entertainment will produce the film jointly in Hindi. The Madras High Court issued a stay on the remake after Sikhya Entertainment who co-produced Soorarai Pottru filed a petition about the remake.

Guneet Monga of Sikhya Entertainment approached the Madras High Court for not including them in the Hindi remake. Soorarai Pottru is based on the life story of Air Deccan Chief GR Gopinath and Sikhya Entertainment claims that the Hindi rights are sold off without their consent. Suriya and his production house are yet to respond to the issue.

Talented actor Suriya is all set to test his luck with Soorarai Pottru. The film is heading for a digital release after the coronavirus pandemic shattered the markets. Suriya inked a deal with Amazon Prime and announced that Soorarai Pottru will release for Dasara. But the film is yet to get the necessary NOCs from the Indian Air Force after which the makers pushed the digital release of the film. Suriya himself confirmed the news and he penned a letter for his fans. As the film narrates about the aviation industry, the necessary No Objection Certificates (NOC) from the Indian Air Force are yet to be cleared.

Now the makers of Soorarai Pottru received all the NOCs and the film may now release for Diwali. Suriya and his team will make an official announcement about the same very soon. Soorarai Pottru is the life story of Air Deccan Chief GR Gopinath. Directed by Sudha Kongara, the film features Suriya, Aparna Balamurali, Mohan Babu, Paresh Rawal played the lead roles. Suriya’s 2D Entertainment bankrolled Soorarai Pottru. The film’s teaser and the songs received decent response from the audience.