From Fan Boy on Set to Rs 100 Crore Star: The Journey of Actor Soori

Actor Soori has crossed a major milestone as his film Mandaadi has grossed over Rs 100 crore worldwide in 11 days of release, making it the fourth highest-grossing Tamil film of 2026. Before achieving leading man status, Soori worked in the electrical department on the set of Rajinikanth's Padayappa, where he earned a first salary of Rs 50 operating portable fans at age 22. In a conversation with the film's director K.S. Ravikumar, Soori reflected on his journey spanning 27 years.

Box Office And Stardom

Directed by Mathimaran Pugazhendhi with Vetrimaaran as creative producer, Mandaadi has achieved strong box office numbers driven by word-of-mouth. Producer Elred Kumar of RS Infotainment noted that collections on the sixth day were higher than day one. The film has also performed strongly in Tamil Nadu's C centres and tier-3 towns. Kumar praised Soori's career transformation from a physical comedian relying on cranky characters to a dramatic actor and leading star.

Career Growth And Fan Reaction

Soori's transition to dramatic roles began with Vetrimaaran's Viduthalai Part 1, followed by Kottukkaali, Garudan, and Maaman, which earned a Rs 40 crore hit. Amid this success, Soori publicly scolded fans who ate mud at a temple during the release of Maaman to pray for the film's success, calling the act foolish and stating that films succeed because of good writing rather than rituals.