Soorarai Pottru, directed by Sudha Kongara, clinched five accolades at the 68th National Film Awards, including the prestigious Best Director award. In response to this momentous achievement, Sudha poured out her emotions in a heartfelt thank-you note, expressing gratitude to several significant figures in her life.

Reflecting on the inception of the film, Sudha shared a poignant connection with her late father, stating, “The genesis of this film coincided with the passing of my father. The lasting image I carry of him is gesturing to me from his bed, beckoning me to come to him as I stood in the doorway. This poignant moment found its way into Soorarai Pottru. As filmmakers, we are, in essence, avid spectators seeking to immortalize such moments from our lives in our cinematic creations.”

Acknowledging her mentor, Sudha extended her thanks to Mani Ratnam, under whom she served as an assistant director. She humbly credited him, saying, “Thank you to my mentor. Without your guidance, Mani sir, what am I? A mere zero.”

Furthermore, Sudha expressed her gratitude towards Suriya, the actor and producer of Soorarai Pottru, and Captain Gopinath, whose life story inspired the film. She appreciated Captain Gopinath for entrusting her with his compelling narrative and Suriya for bringing it to life on the silver screen.

The director also took a moment to appreciate the collective efforts of the cast and crew, as well as the audience whose support contributed to the film’s success. In closing, Sudha Kongara gave a special shout-out to fellow filmmakers facing challenges in realizing their visions and telling stories authentically.

Sudha Kongara, with a background of seven years working alongside Mani Ratnam, marked her directorial debut with the Telugu film Andhra Andagadu (2008). Subsequent works like Drohi (2010) and Irudhi Suttru, released as Saala Khadoos in Hindi, garnered both commercial success and critical acclaim. She later remade Irudhi Suttru in Telugu as Guru, with Venkatesh in the lead role.