Marking 75 successful days in theatres, the team of Sirai organized a success meet celebration, where the cast and crew came together to reflect on the film’s journey and thank audiences for their continued support. The event saw key members of the team share heartfelt moments about the making of the film and the challenges they overcame before its success at the box office.
Director Suresh Rajakumari expressed his gratitude to everyone who believed in the project. He highlighted the strong trust shared within the team and credited filmmaker Tamil for believing in his ability to bring the story to life.
He also thanked actor Vikram Prabhu for placing immense faith in him as a filmmaker. According to Suresh, Vikram Prabhu never demanded a rough shoot or proof of concept before committing to the project, which he said meant a lot to him as a director.
The filmmaker further acknowledged producer SS Lalit Kumar for supporting the project and credited his mentor Vetrimaaran as the guiding force behind his journey in cinema. Speaking about the industry, Suresh pointed out that while audiences often praise the quality of Malayalam cinema, they should also encourage meaningful Tamil films in theatres rather than waiting for OTT releases.
Despite the numerous challenges faced during production and release, he said the team was delighted that Sirai managed to perform well in theatres. He also appreciated the performances of Akshay Kumar and Anishma, stating that they convincingly brought their characters to life.
Filmmaker Tamil, who was instrumental in shaping the project, said he felt proud seeing how Suresh Rajakumari elevated the story. He described the film’s success as a shared achievement for the entire team.
Tamil also thanked producer SS Lalit Kumar for supporting smaller films even after producing large-scale projects with major stars such as Vijay. He emphasised that Tamil cinema has a strong pool of talented writers and that the industry must provide opportunities for fresh voices.
Reflecting on recent trends, Tamil said audiences often compare Tamil cinema with other industries, particularly Malayalam cinema, but stressed that Tamil Nadu itself has a wealth of storytelling talent waiting to be recognized.
Director Vetrimaaran shared his appreciation for the film’s success and the team behind it, recalling his initial reaction after watching the movie. He revealed that he had told producer Lalith Kumar that the film would emerge as a commercial success and had even predicted certain box-office figures. However, the producer confidently responded that the film would surpass those numbers by three times, which initially surprised him.
Vetrimaaran added that he later discussed this confidence with director Suresh, who remained equally certain about the film’s potential. Eventually, the film went on to perform beyond even those expectations, something the filmmaker said brought him immense happiness. He also expressed pride in witnessing Suresh’s growth as a filmmaker over the years.
Highlighting the collaborative strength behind the project, Vetrimaaran noted that the strong creative understanding between Suresh and filmmaker Tamil played a crucial role in shaping the film successfully. He further remarked that stories of this nature may not find similar acceptance in other industries, emphasising that Tamil Nadu audiences uniquely embrace such narratives. Concluding his speech, Vetrimaaran stated that Tamil cinema remains one of the most evolved film industries, thanks to its openness towards diverse storytelling.
Actor Akshay Kumar spoke emotionally about his journey and the opportunity to debut through Sirai. Calling the team his extended family, he expressed gratitude to everyone who supported him during the film’s making.
He admitted that his biggest fear before the release was whether audiences would accept him as an actor. The warm response from viewers, he said, made the journey worthwhile. Akshay also thanked his family, especially his father, acknowledging that despite disagreements, his father always wanted the best for him.
The actor also appreciated his co-star Anishma, noting that she had already gained attention for her earlier work and continued that momentum with her performance in Sirai.
Actor Vikram Prabhu, who plays a key role in the film, shared an emotional reflection on his career during the event. He said he felt proud that the celebration coincided with a moment when the film was receiving appreciation from audiences.
Vikram Prabhu also spoke about recently receiving the State Award for Taanakaran, a recognition that deeply moved him. He noted that Sirai marked his 25th film, making the milestone even more special.
Recalling his early years, the actor said he often struggled to create his own identity because people associated him with his family background. During his school days, he avoided participating in events because he felt singled out for belonging to a well-known film family.
Initially aspiring to become a director, Vikram Prabhu eventually stepped into acting and signed Kumki without informing his family members. The film’s success brought both recognition and pressure, he said, and since then he has been constantly striving to grow in his career.
Concluding his speech, the actor thanked producer SS Lalit Kumar, director Suresh Rajakumari, filmmaker Tamil, and the entire team for their support. He also encouraged newcomers Akshay Kumar and Anishma, saying Sirai is only the beginning of a long journey for them in cinema.