In 1996, Suraj began working as an assistant director to Sundar C. on his comedy filmsUllathai Allitha and Mettukudi. In 1997, he continued to assist Sundar C. on Arunachalam starring Rajinikanth and he was the co-director of the filmJanakiraman. Suraj directed his first film in 1998 Moovendhar which featured R. Sarathkumar and Devayani, the film was a critical and commercial failure. Then, Suraj returned to assist Sundar C. in his films. In 2006, he made his directorial comeback through Thalai Nagaram, starring his mentor Sundar C., Jyothirmayi and Vadivelu. The film was a hit. The following year, Suraj made his third film Marudhamalai, featured Arjun, Nila and again comedian Vadivelu, despite mixed reviews, the film was a hit. In 2009, he directed Padikathavan starring Dhanush, Tamannaah and due his busy schedule, Vadivelu has been replaced by comedian Vivek. The film, distributed by Sun Pictures, was also a hit. In 2011, he made Mappillai, remake of the 1989 filmMappillai. The film starring Dhanush, Hansika Motwani and Manisha Koirala. The film received mixed reviews, but the film became a hit at the box office. After Mappillai Suraj directed Alex Pandian starring Karthi and Anushka Shetty in lead roles. The film released on 11 January 2013 to negative reviews from critics as well as audience. After Alex Pandian's failure, Suraj directed Sakalakala Vallavan starring Jayam Ravi, Anjali and Trisha in lead roles. The film released on 31 July 2015 to negative reviews; the film became an average grosser at the box office. After Sakalakala vallavan he directed Kaththi Sandai starring Vishal Tamannaah, Soori and Vadivelu in lead roles. The film released on 23 December 2016 and was panned heavily by critics and audiences becoming a big commercial failure
Controversies
During the promotions of his movie Kaththi Sandai, he made comments about actresses in Tamil cinema which were deemed sexist, saying that they are paid to wear less clothes and that he makes sure they wear revealing clothes to satisfy "low class" audiences. This angered many of the netizens and Nayanthara as well as the film's heroine Tamannah has spoken out condemning such cheap statements made by Suraj. Later that day, he apologised and took back his statement.
