Suriya hits a six with this inspiring journey of a dreamer
After last year's Kaapaan, Suriya is back on screens, this time on small screens in his first direct OTT release movie Soorarai Pottru, which has the actor collaborating with director Sudha Kongara of Irudhi Suttru fame. Based on the book "Simply fly" written by GR Gopinath, the promos of this movie promised an interesting entertainer, and let's see what Soorarai Pottru has in store.
Soorarai Pottru revolves around Nedumaran Rajangam aka Maara (Suriya) a man from a village who dreams to run a flight carrier, a low-cost one that would break cost and caste barriers. The film presents his struggles as a common man with a big dream and his conflicts with the crocodiles in the aviation industry, like Jaz airlines Paresh Goswami (Paresh Rawal), his financial position, and how he wins the challenges, as well as the trust of people to succeed in his mission, is what the movie is all about. 
Suriya as Nedumaran Rajangam aka Maara delivers one of the best performances of his career, as he breathes life into the character with his unmatched energy. With the character offering scope to portray a wide range of emotions, Suriya performs in a way reminiscent of the Suriya of Nandha, Kaakha Kaakha days, and his eyes speak volumes throughout the screenplay. Aparna Balamurali perfectly complements Suriya's performance with her act as the confident, independent and strong Bommi, who boosts Maara's dreams and his morale. Paresh Rawal as the bigwig of the aviation business, Paresh Goswami delivers a subtle performance as the shark who couldn't stand the presence of small players. Urvashi makes an impact with an emotional act and Mohan Babu is majestic in his small role, while the rest of the cast including Kaali Venkat, Karunaas, Vivek Prasanna and Poo Ramu are adequate and make their presence felt with the limited scope.
Soorarai Pottru begins with Maara's flight landing against rules, and sets up the mood for an intriguing journey of a dreamer. Going into the flashback, Sudha Kongara establishes various phases of life of Maara, from childhood to his days as pilot officer, his crazy romance equation with Bommi, to the aspiring youngster who gets cornered and troubled by the biggies in the field, with some interesting sequences like his meet with Paresh, a journalist helping him, the explanation to SCI Prakash etc. The interval bang with a twist and Suriya's emotional performance is one of the best moments of the first half.
The second half of the movie presents Maara's resurrection from rejections and betrayal and restarting his mission. While there are several cinematic moments during this phase, the engaging screenplay makes them negligible, and this half of the movie has some melodramatic moments as well. Nevertheless, the movie ends on an inspiring note, with Suriya's emotional performance in the climax being the icing on the cake.
Background score by GV Prakash is pulsating, and of his songs, Veyyon Silli, Mannurunda are the pick of the lot. Niketh Bommi's cinematography captures the life of Maara in diverse environments and time frames in an impressive manner. Taut editing by Sathish Surya keeps the audience engaged throughout the life journey of Maara. 
After the tale of a boxer fighting the corrupt system, supported by a mentor in Irudhi Suttru, this time Sudha Kongara has taken up the story of GR Gopinath and his dream of a low cost air carrier, rising against obstacles and influential competitors and has fictionalized it in an engaging way. Starting the movie on a high note with a Massy sequence, Sudha's screenplay proceeds with interesting moments in the life of the protagonist Maara, his personal life and his dream, his conflicts with the biggest names in the field and how he succeeds, supported well by a very strong performance by Suriya. 
The actor has literally transformed as Maara, letting go off the body language and dialogue delivery that were monotonous in his recent movies, and has delivered a power-packed, intense and emotional performance, carrying the movie and the character on his able shoulders. Suriya is supported well by the supporting cast including Aparna Balamurali and Urvashi, and the movie has a strong technical team as well, with GV Prakash's music and Niketh Bommi's cinematography elevating the movie and it's quality to a different level. With the movie being a semi biopic presenting the life journey of a dreamer, Sudha has made sure that despite the cinematic liberties and some pace issues in the second half of the movie, Soorarai Pottru is a completely engaging and enjoyable entertainer with many emotionally charged, goosebumps moments. Sudha Kongara's engaging screenplay and the return of the powerhouse performer Suriya make this Soorarai Pottru a must-watch, the inspiring flight you should never miss.
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