With ANL Arasu's debut directorial Phoenix, starring Surya Sethupathi in the lead role gearing up for release on July 4, the film's producer T Shiva has called actor Surya Sethupathi as Tamil cinema's Tiger Shroff.
Taking to the stage during the trailer launch of the film, Shiva said he has watched the entire film and has come to talk as a fan of the film. "Phoenix will hold a place in the history of Tamil cinema. It has been crafted so well that it will feature in top ten films made in the industry. No frame has lag in it. Not even one scene is amiss. The film will be an edge-of-the-seat thriller. My words are not exaggerated. Phoenix will affect you."
He showered praise on the technical team and actors for supporting the film and working to their fullest in making it well. "Each of the child actors have a bright future ahead. ANL Arasu will get the best director of the year. Surya Sethupathi's performance, especially, will sit in your heart. He is extremely dedicated and hard working. He has lived as the character itself, and this establishes that he has an exciting and bright career ahead of him. You will definitely grow up to become Tamil cinema's Tiger Shroff. I loved and enjoyed watching Vijay Sethupathi's Maharaja. In that vein, I love Phoenix and continue watching films like it. Each frame is etched in my brain," he said, noting that one of Vijay Sethupathi's notable contribution, apart from his film roles, is Surya. "He will continue making you proud," Shiva said to Vijay Sethupathi.
Surya has appeared as a child artist in his father's films Naanum Rowdy Dhaan and Sindhubaadh. The star cast of Phoenix also includes Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Harish Uthaman, Muthukumar, Sampath, Dileepan, Vignesh, Varsha Viswanath, Abi Nakshatra, Sathya NJ, 'Atti' Rishi, and Poovaiyar.
Anl Arasu himself doubles up as the stunt choreographer for the film. The technical crew of Phoenix also includes music director Sam CS, cinematographer R Velraj, and editor Praveen KL.
