(This article is authored by Alar)

Helmed by Karthik Subbaraj, 'Jigarthanda Double X' released on November 10th, 2023, has achieved blockbuster status, crossing the Rs 20 crore mark in global earnings. The film features a stellar cast, including Raghava Lawrence, SJ Suryah, Nimisha Sajayan, Naveen Chandra, Sathyan, Aravind Akash, Ilavarasu, and Bava Chelladurai, all of whom have been acclaimed for their compelling performances.

Following the positive response from critics and fans, the team behind 'Jigarthanda 2' met with the press in Madurai, where actor S.J. Suriya, during the interaction, expressed his thoughts on the film's success. Suriya emphasized the massive acclaim received by the film saying, "Usually, a film either rakes in the box office without people remembering its name or gets all the attention but not the collections. Surprisingly, this one managed to do both."

He said, "The discerning standards of the audience have evolved, and I am truly grateful for the love and support we have received. If theatres are consistently full, even on weekdays and during adverse weather conditions, it is a monumental victory,"

Notably, he credited Raghava Lawrence for showcasing a different facet of his acting abilities in the film. Reflecting on his own journey, S.J. Suriya shared his initial aspirations of becoming an actor, leading to his foray into directing. However, he acknowledged feeling disheartened when faced with questions about abandoning directing.

He mentioned, “Acting was my first passion, but I started directing to pursue it. When I finally got the chance to act, people wondered why I gave up directing. That hurt me a lot.”  He credited Karthik Subbaraj with changing that perception, allowing him to embrace both directing and acting seamlessly.

The period gangster drama, released on 10th November 2023, unfolds the tale of Pandiyan, an ambitious gangster in Madurai with dreams of becoming the first dark-skinned actor in Tamil cinema. Produced by Kaarthekeyen Santhanam, S. Kathiresan, and Alankar Pandian under Stone Bench Films, Five Star Creations, and Invenio Origin respectively.

"Jigarthanda DoubleX" pays homage to its predecessor, the 2014 hit 'Jigarthanda'. The film's creative team, including composer Santhosh Narayanan, cinematographer Tirru, and editor Shafique Mohamed Ali, promises a visual and auditory treat for the audience.