
Suriya starrer Soorarai Pottru is finally streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The Sudha Kongara directorial also features Aparna Balamurali, Mohan Babu and Paresh Rawal in pivotal roles. Apart from starring in the movie, Suriya has also bankrolled the film along with Guneet Monga of Sikhya Entertainment.
Soorarai Pottru is based on Captain G R Gopinath’s autobiography Simply Fly: A Deccan Odyssey. In the book, Gopinath wrote about the struggles that he faced in his pursuit to launch a low-cost airline service. Suriya plays the titular role. In the film’s trailer, we saw Suriya’s Maara, a man from a remote village, taking on mighty politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats to realise his dream of launching his own airlines.
Speaking at the trailer launch, Suriya said, “Soorarai Pottru is a very special movie for me and one that’s very close to my heart. With this film, we want to bring out the message that nothing in this world can stop you from chasing your dreams if you are true to yourself and dedicated to the task. We hope that the audience will continue to shower us with their unwavering support.”
Co-producer Guneet Monga of Sikhya Entertainment told indianexpress.com, “I really liked that I collaborated with a woman director on such a huge film. I am in love with Sudha. I love her style, her determination. She is such a good writer-director. It is a huge plus that Sudha and I got to work on this film. She had the idea for the story, and I managed to get the rights. That’s how the journey started. This is a pan-India story. Everyone knows about Air Deccan. I am very excited about the pan-India Diwali release. I can’t wait for the whole country to watch it and tell us about it. It is very rare. My mother’s first flight was Air Deccan. She was so happy that she managed to buy a ticket at Rs 500. It is a story that has bridged the gap between the haves and have-nots.”
Shanthanu Bhagyaraj tweeted, "Hearing such fantastic reviews about #SooraraiPottru Soooo sooo happy for @Suriya_offl bro @gvprakash bro & #SudhaKongara MaAm Waiting to watch the movie in sometime. Reviews alone are giving you the goosebumps. Best wishes to the whole team #SooraraiPottruOnPrime."
"#AakasamNeeHaddhuRa what a film !! @Suriya_offl anna was fantabulous. Brilliant writing and execution by #SudhaKongara. Thoroughly enjoyed and thank you for making me a small part of this fantastic film. #SooraraiPottru," Satya Dev said via Twitter.
Kabir Duhan Singh posted on Twitter, "#SooraraiPottru is a pure emotional film. #Suriya sir has proven his versatility in the role of #Maaran . Outstanding performance from all characters. Loved the bgm #SudhaKongara too good mam. congratulations to the entire team."
Arya's tweet read, "Maara Maara Maara U just can’t take ur eyes of him @Suriya_offl sir lived as Maara portraying different phases of life with perfection. Hats off to u sir #Sudha #Aparna #urvashiMam @gvprakash @kaaliactor #Karunas all are brilliant @rajsekarpandian @PrimeVideoIN."
Aadhav Kannadhasan shared on Twitter, "That amazing feel aftr u watch a good film! All i can do is thank the team of #SooraraiPottru for giving us this gem @Suriya_offl sir u were fire @gvprakash Bgm and songs were great @Sudhakongara_of the captain of the flight - Hats off you to you mam @PrimeVideoIN @2D_ENTPVTLTD."
Sathish Kumar M tweeted, "#SooraraiPottru @Suriya_offl in ‘BEAST’ mode & has given his best ever performance along with @Aparnabala2 with wonderful music from @gvprakash. Udupi hotel scene & Airport ticket scene WOULD have received huge applause from the audience in theaters. #RiseOfCommonMan Climax."
Sridevi Sreedhar took to Twitter to share, "#SooraraiPottru :Truly an inspiring film with fine writing and outstanding performances. But at the heart of the film is an incredible performance by @Suriya_offl who lives the role of Nedumaaran. On the whole a solid and satisfying watch #SudhaKongara @rajsekarpandian."
Rathna Kumar posted on Twitter, "#SooraraiPottru is an Emotional Biopic. You will root for Maara scene after scene seeing his struggle. Hats off to @Suriya_offl sir who lived his character. He is lit. Sudha mam is terrific in every sense. Congrats to Entire passionate team. THIS WILL FLY HIGH."
Arun Vijay shared via Twitter, "#SooraraiPottru An outstanding performance by @Suriya_offl brother!! Very well etched characters and all played their roles so well. Moved and very motivating. Hats off to director #Sudha Mam & her entire team for the excellent execution! Congratulations and keep flying high.❤."
Mohan Babu tweeted, "Wishing my team of #AakasamNeeHadduRa the very best for the release today on #AmazonPrime. Such a fine actor @Suriya_offl. It was a absolute pleasure working with him.& a wonderful director #SudhaKongara. I pray that this will be a milestone. God Bless! #SooraraiPottru."
Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta gave Soorarai Pottru two stars. She wrote in her review, "Soorarai Pottru is marred by the high-pitched melodrama whistled up every time the script needs to create fan-pleasing moments. Given Suriya’s mega popularity, that is an always present temptation, and the film gives in, much too often." READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE
Suriya starrer Soorarai Pottru is based on the struggles and achievements of Captain GR Gopinath, who revolutionised India’s aviation industry. Director Sudha Kongara, who has also co-written the movie, was one of the beneficiaries of Gopinath’s remarkable achievement, which made flight tickets affordable to the working class. Sudha has materialised her gratitude into a movie based on Gopinath’s life. She recalled her first flight experience, which was on Air Deccan. READ MORE
Pandiraj shared on Twitter, "#SooraraiPottru it's a new experience. every character in d film is soul touching. @Suriya_offl sir performance outstanding. Sudha mam, I can see the hard work in every frame .@gvprakash music is one a kind. this gonna be Visual treat for this diwali. all d best @2D_ENTPVTLTD & team."
Anand K V tweeted, "#SooraraiPottru a SUCCESS story. Energy Packed performance by @Suriya_offl in Struggle & Victory. He Lived the character. Best wishes to Dir #Sudhakongara @gvprakash @rajsekarpandian @PrimeVideoIN."
Karthi mentioned on Twitter, "#SooraraiPottru (Tamil) just released worldwide. Happy Diwali guys n girls!:) Check it out now on Prime Video!"
Soorarai Pottru star Suriya said that one of the challenges of making Soorarai Pottru was how to make a story about an airline relevant for people, who are facing issues daily due to scarcity of food, drinking water and sanitization. “I think that’s what we have cracked (with this movie),” Suriya told indianexpress.com. READ MORE
Sivakarthikeyan tweeted, "Wishing @Suriya_offl sir #SudhaKongara mam, @gvprakash and entire #SooraraiPottru team the very best for a grand success. Loved the teaser, trailer and songs...And I’m sure this film is going to be an amazing experience."
Sreedhar Pillai shared via Twitter, "#SooraraiPottru Lovely & heartwarming. @Suriya_offl from take-off till landing in total command. Loved #Bommi aka @Aparnabala2 & @gvprakash music. #SudhaKongara, a inspiring bio-pic, dialogues & neat message-Never give up on your dreams, work hard U will achieve the impossible."
Suriya announced the premiere of Soorarai Pottru with a clip. He captioned the video, "And we're live!"
Vamsi Kaka posted on Twitter, "#AakaasamNeeHaddhuRa is a masterpiece.. Extraordinary Writing & Execution from Sudha Kongara. Outstanding performance again, again & AGAIN from one of the finest actors of India @Suriya_offl. Loved @ActorSatyaDev dubbing for Suriya in Telugu. #SooraraiPottru."