Four of South Indian cinema’s biggest stars – Suriya, Vijay, Jyotika, and R Madhavan – once joined forces for a powerful short film promoting education.
When Stars Aligned: Early Collaborations
Long before the “pan-India” trend, actors collaborated freely in the Tamil film industry. A prime example is Suriya’s debut film, Nerrukku Ner (1997), where he shared the lead with Vijay, who was already a rising star.
This film was a commercial success and quickly established Suriya as a promising talent. Their camaraderie continued when they reunited in Siddique’s Friends (2001), a blockbuster where they played best friends.
Though they haven’t shared screen space in a feature film since, their mutual respect has remained. Both actors hail from prominent film families, cementing a bond that predates their individual stardom.
A Surprising Reunion: “Herova? Zerova?”
Many might not know that Suriya and Vijay collaborated once more after Friends, this time in a short docudrama titled “Herova? Zerova?” This unique project also featured Suriya’s wife, Jyotika, and actor R Madhavan, all playing themselves.
Produced and released by Suriya’s Agaram Foundation, the film emphasized the critical need for education. It was proudly sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Tamil Nadu, bringing together a stellar crew.
The dream team included KV Anand for cinematography, Harris Jayaraj for music, Sreekar Prasad for editing, and Na Muthukumar for lyrics. Their collective effort created a powerful message.
The Heart of the Film: Education for All
The short film opens in a classroom, showing several absent students. Each missing name cuts to a stark reality: one child is working in a stone quarry, another, a little girl, is burdened with household chores and caring for a baby.
As the film progresses, more children are depicted in child labor, their fundamental right to education tragically denied. This sets the stage for the arrival of the stars.
Suriya, Vijay, Jyotika, and Madhavan then appear on screen, symbolic figures who rescue these children from their plight. They passionately advocate for schooling, driving home the message that education is the key to determining whether one becomes a “hero or zero” in life.
The film concludes on an uplifting note, showing the positive impact of their campaign. The children embrace education and are seen happily attending school. The four stars deliver a unified message: “You will become heroes in life only if you study.”
Suriya’s Vision Behind Agaram Foundation
Suriya shared his motivation for the Agaram Foundation, explaining its name means “the first alphabet in Tamil,” symbolizing the beginning of education. He emphasized that the short film was not for personal publicity but to raise awareness about education’s importance.
He noted, “I am not doing this for publicity for me or my family. That is the reason why I have roped in actors like Vijay and Madhavan in the film; so that they can send the message across effectively.” His goal was to inspire anyone to sponsor a child’s education through the film.
The Tamil Nadu Education Department initially requested a video urging students not to drop out. Suriya expanded on this, inviting his friends and like-minded actors to join for a greater impact. This noble cause united a remarkable team for a powerful social message.
- Suriya and Vijay first co-starred in 1997’s Nerrukku Ner.
- They reunited for the 2001 blockbuster Friends.
- “Herova? Zerova?” was a short film produced by Suriya’s Agaram Foundation.
- It featured Suriya, Vijay, Jyotika, and R Madhavan advocating for education.
- The film aimed to raise awareness about child labor and school dropouts.
This star-studded collaboration stands as a testament to the power of cinema beyond entertainment, utilizing their influence for a vital social cause.
