Suriya is an Indian actor and producer who works primarily in Tamil cinema. He made a commercially successful cinematic debut in Vasanth's Nerrukku Ner (1997). This was followed by roles in a series of critical and commercial failures, including Kaadhale Nimmadhi (1998), Sandhippoma (1998) and Periyanna (1999). Suriya collaborated with Vasanth again in Poovellam Kettuppar (1999), his first film with future wife Jyothika.