Marks don't define life: This South actor failed many times in school exams but delivers Rs 100 crore blockbuster hits

Success doesn’t come with a report card, and academic performance isn’t always a reflection of one’s potential. One Indian actor is a living example of this. He failed nearly every exam in Class 10 and 12 — except for his board exams — and still rose to become one of South India’s most celebrated superstars. From box office hits to a Rs 400 crore blockbuster, his journey is a powerful reminder that determination, purpose, and passion can outweigh grades. Can you guess who it is?

It’s none other than Suriya, the beloved Tamil actor, who recently opened up about his academic struggles during the trailer launch of his upcoming film Retro, directed by Karthik Subbaraj. At the Chennai event, Suriya got candid about his school days, revealing that he was an average student who failed in almost every school exam. Despite those early setbacks, he found his purpose — both as an actor and as a changemaker.

Suriya spoke passionately about his NGO, the Agaram Foundation, which supports underprivileged students in pursuing college education. He proudly shared that Agaram has been running for nearly 20 years and has helped nearly 7,000 to 8,000 students graduate. “I had the power to facilitate change,” said the actor, “and now, all of them who’ve been part of Agaram are shaping the future.”

Blockbuster journey

Suriya's filmography is filled with commercially and critically acclaimed hits. One of his biggest successes was Ghajini, where he starred alongside Nayanthara and Asin. The film, directed by A.R. Murugadoss, was a massive box office success and widely praised for its gripping narrative and Suriya’s intense performance. The Hindi remake with Aamir Khan also became a blockbuster, further cementing the legacy of the original.

Then came Vaaranam Aayiram, a deeply emotional drama by Gautham Vasudev Menon, in which Suriya played dual roles — that of a father and son. The film resonated with audiences and became the biggest blockbuster of his career at the time. It featured Simran, Sameera Reddy, and Ramya in key roles. Suriya also struck gold with Singam, directed by Hari, where he played an honest and powerful police officer. The film became so successful that it spawned a successful franchise, with its sequel also emerging as a major blockbuster hit.

Another standout performance came in Soorarai Pottru, where Suriya portrayed a determined villager who challenges the aviation industry by envisioning affordable air travel for everyone. Directed by Sudha Kongara, the film was not only a commercial hit but also received widespread critical acclaim, winning multiple awards.

He was also part of Vikram, the Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial that featured a stellar cast including Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi, and Fahadh Faasil. Though Suriya’s role was a cameo, it left a lasting impression and heightened anticipation for a bigger role in Lokesh's cinematic universe. As per Sacnilk, its worldwide collection is Rs 414.43 crore.
All eyes on Retro

Now, the actor is gearing up for the release of Retro, his much-awaited collaboration with Karthik Subbaraj. The newly released trailer shows Suriya playing a complex character with a turbulent emotional arc. He falls in love with a character played by Pooja Hegde and attempts to leave behind his violent past, but his old life continues to haunt him.

The film promises a gripping mix of action, emotion, and drama, with a stellar supporting cast including Jayaram, Prakash Raj, Nasser, and Joju George. Produced by Suriya and Jyothika’s 2D Entertainment in collaboration with Stone Bench Films, Retro carries the tagline: Love, Laughter, and War. With music by Santhosh Narayanan, cinematography by Shreyaas Krishna, and editing by Shafique Mohamed Ali, the film is poised to be one of the major releases of the year.