Soori Receives Rajinikanthâs Praise For Mandaadi: âœHis Words Were A Blessingâ
For Soori, the appreciation surrounding Mandaadi has now acquired a deeply personal dimension. The actor revealed that Rajinikanth watched the film and called him to share his thoughts, a gesture that left him visibly moved.
Taking to X on Monday, Soori shared a picture from his conversation with Rajinikanth and wrote, “Superstar Rajinikanth Sir watched and loved our #Mandaadi. His heartfelt call means the world to me and our entire team.” Describing the interaction as a “priceless moment”, Soori said hearing Rajinikanth’s voice on the other end of the call was something he would cherish. He also referred to the veteran actor’s words of appreciation as “a blessing”.
The gesture comes at an important stage in Soori’s evolution as an actor. Once predominantly recognised for his comic roles and supporting appearances, he made a striking transition into dramatic leading roles with Vetri Maaran’s Viduthalai Part 1. The performance established a different side of the actor and opened the door to a series of protagonist-driven films.
Since then, Soori has continued to embrace demanding characters in films such as Garudan and Maaman. With Mandaadi, he has once again taken on a physically challenging role, this time as the leader of a fishing expedition team caught up in the competitive world of sailing boat racing.
A demanding journey from sea to screen
Directed by Mathimaran Pugazhendhi, Mandaadi explores a traditional boat-racing culture along the Tamil Nadu coastline. The director became interested in the sport while searching for a subject connected to the sea that had not been extensively explored on screen. That idea eventually grew into a film that required the cast and crew to spend nearly two months shooting at sea.
The production came with its own share of challenges. A boat carrying equipment reportedly capsized during filming, leading to the loss of equipment and additional delays. The demanding conditions of the shoot have since become an important part of the story surrounding the film, particularly as audiences have responded to its extensive ocean-based action.
The climax, which features a major boat-racing sequence, has emerged as one of the film’s key talking points. Soori’s performance has also added to the appreciation for a project that required him to move well beyond the familiar territory of his earlier career.
Mandaadi features an ensemble cast including Suhas, Mahima Nambiar, Sathyaraj, Mithun Jai Sankar, Ravindra Vijay, Bala Saravanan and Stun Siva. GV Prakash Kumar has composed the music, with SR Kathir handling cinematography and Pradeep E Ragav serving as editor. Peter Hein, Dhilip Subbarayan and Mahesh Mathew have choreographed the action.
The film has also received encouragement from Soori’s peers. Sivakarthikeyan and Vishnu Vishal congratulated the actor after its release, with Sivakarthikeyan highlighting his “hard work, persistence and relentless dedication”.
For Soori, however, Rajinikanth’s call appears to carry a significance of its own. Coming from one of Tamil cinema’s most revered stars, the appreciation is another memorable milestone in an acting journey that has undergone a remarkable transformation.
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