Jyotika revealed that she earned three times more than Suriya during their early film careers but joked that she now makes 30 times less than him. The actor also called Suriya a “green flag,” praising the equality, support and shared responsibilities in their marriage.
Jyotika Recalls Earning More Than Suriya
Actor Jyotika has opened up about the early phase of her career, revealing that she was once paid three times more than her husband and frequent co-star Suriya. She looked back at a period when she was already an established Tamil cinema star while Suriya was still building his position as a leading actor.
The conversation took a humorous turn when Jyotika said the financial equation had completely changed over the years. Referring to her current remuneration, she joked that she now earns “30 times less” than Suriya. Her remark left the actor laughing and quickly attracted attention online, with fans discussing their individual career journeys and changing positions in the film industry.
Salary Gap Reverses Over The Years
By the time Jyotika and Suriya worked together in Gautham Vasudev Menon’s Kaakha Kaakha in 2003, Jyotika had already appeared in several successful films and enjoyed strong popularity among Tamil audiences. Suriya, meanwhile, was still searching for the major breakthrough that would establish him as a dependable solo hero.
Jyotika also recalled that she recommended Suriya’s name to director Gautham Vasudev Menon for Kaakha Kaakha. The police drama became a significant turning point in Suriya’s career and strengthened his standing as a leading actor. Their light-hearted conversation about remuneration offered a rare glimpse into how their professional positions changed as both continued growing in the industry.
Equality Makes Suriya A Green Flag
Beyond discussing their earnings, Jyotika praised Suriya for approaching marriage and family life with a strong sense of equality. She described him as a “green flag” and said his respect for women was not something performed for public attention but a quality that came naturally to him.
Jyotika explained that the couple does not follow rigid gender roles at home. She said Suriya joins her in the kitchen, shares parenting responsibilities and supports her professional decisions. According to Jyotika, they enjoy working on films, raising their children, travelling together and watching each other develop personally and professionally.
Career Journey From Co-Stars To Life Partners
Suriya and Jyotika first appeared together in Poovellam Kettuppar in 1999. They later shared the screen in films including Uyirile Kalanthathu, Kaakha Kaakha, Perazhagan, Maayavi and Sillunu Oru Kaadhal. The couple married in Chennai in 2006 and have two children, Diya and Dev.
After stepping away from acting for several years, Jyotika returned to cinema with 36 Vayadhinile in 2015. She later expanded her career across Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi films while Suriya continued delivering major projects as an actor and producer.
Their latest interview has once again highlighted why Suriya and Jyotika remain among Tamil cinema’s most admired celebrity couples. Their comments about earnings, domestic responsibilities and mutual professional support showed that their relationship has evolved through equality rather than competition.