Captain Gopinath is all praises for Suriya-starrer 'Soorarai Pottru'

In a series of tweets, Captain G.R. Gopinath, founder of the low-cost airline, Air Deccan, praised the Sudha Kongara-directed ‘Soorarai Pottru.’ The film, inspired by Gopinath’s book ‘Simply Fly: A Deccan Odyssey’ was released on Amazon Prime on November 12.

The Twitter thread began with Gopinath writing: “Sorarai potru… Heavily fictionalised but outstanding in capturing the true essence of the story of my book. A real roller coaster. Yes watched it last night. Couldn’t help laughing and crying on many family scenes that brought memories.”

He praised Kongara’s direction for deftly balancing ‘a male-centric story led by Suriya, by portraying his wife, acted by Aparna Balamurali, who was a powerful counterbalance in an inspiring and heartwarming way.’

Dramatised but true to the undying spirit of triumph of hope against struggles and tribulations of an entrepreneur with disadvantaged rural background over overwhelming odds.

— Capt GR Gopinath (@CaptGopinath) November 13, 2020

He also appreciated Suriya’s portrayal of Neduraman Rajangam, who is loosely based on Gopinath. “And Suriya was powerful and carried off the part of an entrepreneur obsessed to the point of madness that makes dreams come true. A timely and great uplifting story in these times of gloom.”

Gopinath was impressed with Aparna’s (Balamurali) performance of Gopinath’s wife, Bhargavi. “The portrayal of my wife, Bhargavi, by Aparna was very well etched out, of a woman who had her own mind, strong but soft, feisty and fearless and an inspiration to rural women especially who are equal and can be entrepreneurs in their own right.”

The film has recieved both critical and popular acclaim.

Captain Gopinath, born and raised in Hassan district, Karnataka, partnered with Captain K.J. Samuel to establish Deccan Aviation, which launched the low-cost airline, Air Deccan in 2003.