Draft:Suriya 43

Suriya 43 is the working title of the upcoming Indian Tamil-language film written and directed by Sudha Kongara. It is jointly produced by 2D Entertainment and Meenakshi Cinemas. The film stars Suriya, alongside Dulquer Salmaan, Nazriya Nazim and Vijay Varma (in his Tamil debut).

The film was officially announced in October 2023 under the tentative title Suriya 43, as it is Suriya's 43rd film in the leading role. The film has music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar and cinematography handled by Jomon T. John.

Development
Suriya, during an interview in January 2022, announced that he would reunite with director Sudha Kongara for her following directorial after their critically acclaimed film Soorarai Pottru (2020). The following April, Sudha stated that the project would be a biographical film and an adaptation from true stories. The beginning of the production process were set on hold as the actor was occupied filming for Kanguva and the director was occupied with Soorarai Pottru 's remake, Sarfira (2024). Following a year, music composer G. V. Prakash Kumar confirmed himself being part of the project's technical crew, in his third consecutive film with Sudha and 100th project. A public announcement by the production house was reported to be made on 23 July, coinciding the occasion of Suriya's birthday; however, it was instead announced on 26 October by 2D Entertainment, which is funding the project, in the company of Meenakshi Cinemas.

Cinematographer Jomon T. John was announced few days later being a part of the technical crew. After the project was reported to have been shelved, Sudha stated through her X (formerly Twitter) account that it was not shelved but had delayed the start of the principal photography, as the development and pre-production needed more time.

Casting
Suriya was reported to go down in weight for his character in the film. In July 2022, it was reported that the makers had approached Dulquer Salmaan for a key role in the film, and was confirmed in July 2023. In early September, Nazriya Nazim was reportedly approached to play the lead actress role alongside Suriya in the film. The film would mark as her first Tamil film after Thirumanam Enum Nikkah (2014). The same month, Vijay Varma, Ajay Devgn and Aditi Shankar were reported to be a part of the cast. Varma was reported to play the lead antagonist role. Madhavan, who acted with Suriya in Aayutha Ezhuthu (2004), was reported to reunite with him, playing a key role. Nazriya and Varma were confirmed being a part of the cast in October.

Filming
Principal photography was reported to commence in December 2023, but did not as so.

Music
The music and background score is composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, in his 100th film as a music composer and in his second collaboration with Suriya and Sudha after Soorarai Pottru. Prakash, via Twitter, revealed that first recording began on 1 January 2024 for a song with Dhee as the lead singer.