Suriya and Jyotika recently renewed their wedding vows at Scotland’s Blairquhan Castle, marking another memorable chapter in their two-decade-long marriage. Pictures from the intimate celebration quickly caught fans’ attention, with the couple receiving praise for celebrating their relationship once again.
Amid the renewed interest in their personal life, an older interview with Suriya has resurfaced, in which the actor explained why he and Jyotika decided to move from Chennai to Mumbai during the pandemic.
The couple’s decision was not simply about changing cities. Suriya said it was also about giving Jyotika the opportunity to reconnect with her parents, friends, lifestyle and professional life after spending decades in Chennai.
Suriya Says Jyotika Spent Nearly 27 Years in Chennai
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Suriya spoke candidly about the sacrifices Jyotika had made after moving to Chennai at a young age.
“I can be very open. At the age of 18-19, she shifted to Chennai. For almost 27 years, she was in Chennai and spent only 18 years in Mumbai. She was with me and my family. She gave up her career, friends, relatives and her Bandra lifestyle. Everything was given up, and she was in Chennai,” he said.
Suriya explained that after their move to Mumbai, Jyotika was able to spend more time with her parents following nearly three decades away from that part of her life.
For the actor, this was an important consideration behind their decision to relocate.
‘Whatever a Man Needs, a Woman Also Needs It’
Suriya said the move was influenced by his belief that Jyotika deserved the same personal freedom and independence that men often seek.
“Whatever a man needs, a woman also needs it. I think I’m a late bloomer. She needs those vacations, her friends and her financial independence. She needs respect, her gym time, fitness and me time,” he said.
He questioned why a woman should have to give up time with her parents or the lifestyle she enjoys after marriage.
“Whatever we [men] crave, she needs it too. Why take away her time with her parents, her lifestyle and what she loves to do? When are we going to make that change? Why is it always me? This is the thought behind the move,” Suriya added.
He also said he was happy to see Jyotika growing professionally after the move to Mumbai.
Why Suriya Enjoys Mumbai Life
The relocation also suited Suriya personally. The actor said he enjoys the relative freedom he gets in Mumbai, where he can move around the city without constantly being surrounded by fans.
In Chennai, he said, being recognised in public could make it difficult to move around freely. Mumbai, by contrast, gives him a greater sense of anonymity.
The actor has previously described Mumbai as almost feeling like a holiday despite continuing to work there.
Suriya Prefers His 1,700 Sq Ft Mumbai Apartment
Suriya also spoke about the difference between the family’s large Chennai property and their considerably smaller Mumbai home.
During promotions for Vishwanath & Sons, his co-star and close friend Radhika Sarathkumar mentioned that Jyotika had told her about Suriya’s affection for Mumbai.
Responding to her, Suriya explained why he enjoys the smaller Mumbai home.
“Mumbai is almost like a holiday for me. I work here, then I go for a holiday there. It’s a smaller house. We stay in a 1,700 sq ft house,” he said.
Rather than focusing on the size of the property, Suriya said he appreciates how compact and intimate the apartment feels.
“So, two steps to the bedroom, two steps to the living room, two steps to the kitchen, two steps to the dining area. It’s a nice, cosy house, which gives us a lot of comfort. A lot of memories, a lot of warmth, and a lot of love everywhere,” he explained.
‘I Can Immediately Call Diya or Dev’
For Suriya, the apartment’s smaller layout has also created a sense of closeness within the family.
“I can immediately call Diya or Dev; they are just one step away. Not many people know what we do there, so it’s nice,” he said, referring to the couple’s children.
Radhika Sarathkumar also said that Jyotika and Suriya had been happy since making the move to Mumbai.
Suriya added that Jyotika was spending time with her mother at the time, reiterating that her parents were the family’s main priority in making the shift. At the same time, he noted that professional opportunities were developing in Mumbai as well.
“The main priority was, of course, her parents. But also, work is happening there simultaneously,” he said.
A Move Shaped by Family, Independence and Work
Suriya’s explanation suggests that the family’s move to Mumbai was driven by several factors rather than the size or status of their homes. He spoke about Jyotika reconnecting with her parents and personal life, while also highlighting her professional opportunities and his own preference for the relative freedom Mumbai offers.
Their recent vow renewal in Scotland has once again put the couple’s relationship in the spotlight, but Suriya’s earlier comments offer a glimpse into another important decision they made together — choosing a smaller Mumbai home that he says gives their family comfort, privacy and a sense of closeness.
