Filmmaker Surya Kiran, best known for his directorials Satyam (2003) and Dhana 51 (2005) passed away in Chennai on Monday. He was 51 years old. Reports suggest that Surya Kiran succumbed to a bout of jaundice. He had been battling health issues for some years now. 

Born in Chennai, Surya and his family hailed from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Surya Kiran started his career as a child actor, featuring in more than 200 Tamil and Telugu films, where he was credited under the stage name Master Suresh. Some of his credits as a child actor include Kadal Meengal (1981), Mangamma Sabadham (1985), Manithan (1987), Swayam Krushi (1987) and Khaidi No 786 (1987). 

Surya’s sister Sujitha is a television actor. 

His debut film Satyam, a romantic comedy starring Genelia and Sumanth, was a box office blockbuster, running in theatres for more than 150 days. Other films directed by Surya include Brahmastram (2006), Raju Bhai (2007)  and Chapter 6 (2010). Surya Kiran was briefly married to actor Kalyani. He had also participated, more recently, in the fourth season of Bigg Boss in 2020.