Suriya says he moved to Mumbai to acknowledge Jyotika's sacrifices: 'She moved to Chennai when she was 18 and gave up her career'

Kollywood’s most celebrated couple, Suriya and Jyotika, made a significant life choice by relocating to Mumbai after the pandemic.
In a recent interview, Suriya shared that the move has brought a refreshing change for his family. He mentioned that living in Mumbai allows their children to grow up in a more relaxed environment, giving them the chance to play freely and enjoy a normal childhood, away from the pressures of celebrity life. He further added that the shift has also helped Jyotika in her comeback as an actor.
In a chat with The Hollywood Reporter India, Suriya revealed the motivations behind their relocation, emphasising the sacrifices Jyotika made for their relationship. He explained that she moved to Chennai at a young age, spent 27 years there, and gave up her career, friendships, and urban lifestyle in Bandra to be with him and his family. “Jyotika shifted to Chennai when she was 18 or 19 and lived there for 27 years. She was with me, my family, and she gave up her career, friends, and her Bandra lifestyle,” he stated.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, they felt the need for a fresh change as Jyotika's career had stagnated, and the roles she was receiving lacked variety. This led them to establish 2D Entertainment, focusing on creating more women-centric films.
Suriya highlighted the challenges Jyotika faces, noting that while he usually works with established directors, she often collaborates with newcomers. Since their relocation, Jyotika has taken on diverse projects like ‘Srikanth’, ‘Shaitaan’, ‘Dabba Cartel’, and ‘Kaathal: The Core’, which offer more engaging and innovative storytelling.

The ‘Ghajini’ actor discussed how relocating has benefited Jyotika both personally and professionally. He shared that she enjoys reconnecting with her parents in Mumbai and emphasized the importance of women having vacations, friendships, financial independence, respect, and fitness time, just like men. He reflected on the need to move away from a self-centered mindset and expressed happiness in seeing his wife’s growth as an actress. “It’s important to shift our mindset from ‘I, me, and myself.’ I’m glad to see her growth as an actress, and I hope she finds even more beautiful opportunities,” he emphasized.

He further shared how living in Mumbai has enriched his family life, allowing him to enjoy simple activities with his children, like park walks and drives. He mentioned that his kids are excelling in their IB school, a key reason for the move, as such schools are limited in Chennai. Balancing his time between the two cities, Suriya takes 10 days off each month to fully disconnect from work and enjoy peaceful moments in Mumbai. He expressed joy in spending quality time with his children, including playing basketball and exploring Hill Road with family, emphasizing the importance of kids experiencing life freely on the streets.
Suriya and Jyotika first shared the screen in ‘Poovellam Kettuppar’ in 1999 and married in 2006. They have two kids, Diya and Dev.
On the work front, Suriya has the most awaited 'Kanguva' set to release on November 14. His next venture, tentatively titled 'Suriya 44', with Karthik Subbaraj, recently wrapped up shooting. It will also feature Pooja Hegde in the lead role.