Tamil star Suriya recently expressed admiration for director S.S. Rajamouli, who has elevated regional cinema to a global stage. However, Rajamouli surprised fans by revealing that Suriya was actually his inspiration. "Suriya inspired me to take Telugu cinema beyond its home states," Rajamouli shared, recalling how he had observed Suriya’s efforts during the Ghajini era to connect with Telugu audiences. "I would tell my producers and heroes about how Suriya promoted his films in Telugu as a case study," he said. "If Suriya could win the love of the Telugu people, we should strive to connect with audiences in Tamil Nadu and other regions."
Rajamouli added, "Suriya inspired me to pursue pan-India films. I wanted to work with him, but it didn’t materialize. Recently, he mentioned missing an opportunity to work with me, but it was truly my loss. I admire his acting and his unique choice of stories."
Rajamouli also praised Kanguva director Shiva and producer Gnanavel Raja for their ambitious work. “The film was shot in rare locations with massive sets, and the team’s hard work is evident. I believe their dedication will be rewarded with the film’s success,” he concluded.
