For Immediate Release
Heartwarming Gesture: Director Venky Atluri Pays Respect to Suriya at ‘Vishwanath & Sons’ Event, Video Goes Viral
CHENNAI, [Date of Publication] – Anticipation for Suriya’s upcoming romantic drama, ‘Vishwanath & Sons,’ has reached a fever pitch, not only due to its promise of a grounded narrative following his comeback film ‘Karuppu’ but also thanks to a profoundly moving moment captured at a recent promotional event. A video circulating widely across social media platforms depicts director Venky Atluri making a traditional gesture of respect towards the acclaimed actor Suriya, an act that has garnered widespread praise and admiration from fans.
The incident unfolded as Suriya was addressing the audience. Suddenly, Venky Atluri, known for his work on ‘Sita Ramam,’ approached the actor, gesturing for him to look up. As Suriya complied, Atluri bent down and touched his feet – a profound mark of deference in Indian culture. Suriya’s playful response to the gesture further endeared the moment to onlookers, leading to an outpouring of positive reactions online. Social media users expressed their admiration, with one X user commenting, "He made us cry. Venky Atluri," and another stating, "There may be many heroes in this film industry, but not everyone can become Suriya."
This viral moment adds another layer of intrigue to the making of ‘Vishwanath & Sons’, revealing the deep respect and camaraderie shared between the film’s director and its lead star.
The Winding Road to ‘Vishwanath & Sons’: From Biopic Dreams to Family Entertainer
Interestingly, ‘Vishwanath & Sons’ was not the first project Venky Atluri had envisioned with Suriya. In a recent interview with Galatta Plus, the filmmaker divulged that his initial pitch to the actor was for a compelling biopic. "It was actually a surprise that Suriya sir agreed to do this film. When I first met him, I narrated a biopic. He loved the idea and was very excited, but there were rights issues surrounding the project," Atluri explained.
Despite Suriya’s enthusiasm for the biopic, the legal hurdles proved insurmountable, prompting Atluri to present an alternative story. This new concept, born out of necessity, would eventually blossom into ‘Vishwanath & Sons.’
Suriya’s Desire for a
A key factor in the rapid development of ‘Vishwanath & Sons’ was Suriya’s own desire to shift genres. Having dedicated several years to intense action films and socially driven narratives such as the ‘Singam’ series, ‘Soorarai Pottru,’ and ‘Jai Bhim,’ the actor was reportedly keen on exploring a lighter, more heartwarming story.
"He told me it had been around 12 to 14 years since he had done a cute love story or a proper family entertainer," Atluri revealed. "He wanted to do something breezy. He also felt he had already done two biopics recently, so maybe it was a sign to move on." This yearning for a romantic and family-oriented project perfectly aligned with Atluri’s new concept.
A Phone Call, a Concept, and a Producer’s Tears
The genesis of ‘Vishwanath & Sons’ was remarkably informal. Atluri recounted that he first introduced the core idea to Suriya during a phone conversation, rather than a full-fledged screenplay narration. "I told him I had another idea, though I wasn’t sure if he’d be interested. Since we were speaking over the phone, I only narrated the concept — a story about a 40-year-old and a 20-year-old," he explained.
This intriguing concept piqued Suriya’s interest, leading producer Rajsekar Pandian to invite Venky Atluri to Chennai for a comprehensive narration. The detailed presentation proved to be incredibly impactful. Atluri recalled, "Around the 10th or 15th scene, I noticed he started tearing up. After the narration, he immediately called Suriya sir and told him, ‘It’s a beautiful script. You have to do it.’"
Swift Approval and a Speedy Production
The producer’s emotional response solidified the project’s trajectory. Suriya, too, connected deeply with the material during the full narration, leading to an unusually swift transition from script to screen. "He loved it in the very first sitting. From that point, there was no stopping us. I narrated the script in April, and we began shooting by May or June. Everything happened very simply, but looking back, it still feels surprising. I really thank God for the way it all came together," Atluri shared.
‘Vishwanath & Sons,’ a bilingual romantic family drama, boasts a stellar cast including Suriya, Mamitha Baiju, Raveena Tandon, and Radikaa Sarathkumar. Directed by Venky Atluri, the film is scheduled to light up theatres on August 14, 2026. With its compelling backstory and heartwarming on-set camaraderie, ‘Vishwanath & Sons’ promises to be a memorable cinematic experience.
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