Suriya has revealed that he had to approach Nazriya Nazim four times before she finally agreed to work with him. At a promotional event for their upcoming Tamil film Scene in Hyderabad, the actor shared that Nazriya had previously turned down offers for three of his films. He also spoke about his long-standing admiration for her acting skills, confidence and approach to choosing projects. The revelation came as the two actors prepare to share screen space for the first time in director Jithu Madhavan's film. Scene is particularly significant for Nazriya as it marks her return to Tamil cinema after nearly 12 years.
Suriya Says Nazriya Rejected Three Earlier Film Offers
Speaking at the Hyderabad promotional event, Suriya recalled that he had wanted to collaborate with Nazriya for a long time. However, their schedules and project choices did not align during his earlier attempts. The actor revealed that his team had approached her for three different films, but she declined each opportunity. It was only on the fourth attempt, when Scene came along, that she finally agreed.
Suriya said, "I have always wanted to work with Nazriya. We had asked her to act in three of my films earlier, but she rejected them. It was only on the fourth attempt that she agreed". He also acknowledged that Nazriya had said no to several Tamil film offers over the past 10 to 12 years. Rather than criticising her decisions, Suriya expressed respect for the clarity with which she approached her career.
Suriya Calls Nazriya a Natural Star and Praises Her Confidence
Beyond recalling the earlier rejections, Suriya had plenty of appreciation for his co-star. He praised Nazriya's confidence, clarity and preparation, describing her as a natural performer who understands her characters. He also highlighted how naturally she approaches scenes without making her preparation obvious to those around her. Suriya particularly admired her spontaneity in front of the camera and the sincerity she brings to her work.
The actor also spoke about Nazriya's performance as Maya in Scene. He said that she had done an impressive job with the character and encouraged audiences to watch the film to understand her work. Suriya further appreciated the effort she put into the stunt sequences, noting that her enthusiasm and dedication remained evident even after years in the industry.
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Nazriya Makes Her Tamil Cinema Comeback After 12 Years
Scene marks Nazriya's return to Tamil cinema after an almost 12-year gap. Her last Tamil theatrical release was the 2014 romantic film Thirumanam Enum Nikkah. Although she continued working in Malayalam cinema, she did not take up another Tamil film during this period.
Nazriya has previously described working with Suriya as a dream come true. She also explained that she had missed earlier opportunities to collaborate with him because of various circumstances. The actress plays Maya in Scene, a character that reportedly brings a different side of her performance to the screen. Her role also involves stunt sequences, making the project an opportunity for her to explore a new dimension as an actor.
What Is Scene About? Cast and Release Date
Directed by Jithu Madhavan, known for Romancham and Aavesham, Scene is described as a murder mystery thriller with comedy. Suriya plays police officer DSP Inbaraj, while Nazriya appears as Maya. Naslen is also part of the cast and takes on a negative role.
The film marks Jithu Madhavan's Tamil directorial debut and brings together performers from the Tamil and Malayalam film industries. Produced by Suriya and Jyotika, the film features music composed by Sushin Shyam. Scene is scheduled to arrive in theatres on November 6, 2026, coinciding with the Diwali festive season.
Final Take
Suriya's revelation about Nazriya rejecting three earlier film offers has added an interesting detail to the story behind their first collaboration in Scene. The actor's admiration for her confidence, natural acting style and dedication to stunt sequences also highlights the respect they share as performers. With Nazriya returning to Tamil cinema after nearly 12 years, their upcoming film is set to bring the two actors together on the big screen for the first time.
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