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CHENNAI: Suriya is back on the big screen in a never-seen-before avatar, and the theatres are buzzing! The actor’s much-awaited film Scene released worldwide on Friday, November 6, 2026, in Tamil and Telugu, and it has brought with it not one but two big talking points — a quirky cop-versus-killer entertainer that critics are largely enjoying, and a headline-making clarification from heroine Nazriya Nazim, who has finally answered the one question everyone was asking: did she really reject three Suriya films before saying yes to this one?
Directed by Jithu Madhavan — the Malayalam hitmaker behind Romancham and Aavesham, making his Tamil directorial debut — Scene is produced by Suriya and Jyotika under Zhagaram Studios and 2D Entertainment. With music by Sushin Shyam and cinematography by Vineeth Augustian, the film arrived as a Diwali-season release and opened to packed shows and heavy social media chatter.
A Quirky Cop vs a Killer Who Looks Too Normal
Without giving anything away, here is the setup. Suriya plays DSP Inbaraj, a police officer who is talented but delightfully flawed — eccentric, laid-back and far removed from the flawless, larger-than-life cop image audiences usually associate with him. On the other side stands Eeswaran, played by Naslen, a young man who looks like the most ordinary person in the room — and that is exactly what makes him terrifying, because behind that normal face hides a cold and calculating serial killer.
Nazriya Nazim plays Maya, who works closely with Inbaraj on the case and is far more than a routine heroine, while Lal, John Vijay and Anandaraj round out the supporting cast. The film is a dark-comedy crime entertainer with a cat-and-mouse game at its heart. Interestingly, it has no songs and no romantic track — the focus stays firmly on the investigation, the humour and the mind games. Reviews also note that the film quietly lays the foundation for a possible Part 2, which has already got fans speculating.
The official title poster of ‘Scene’, featuring Suriya as DSP Inbaraj. (Photo Credit: Zhagaram Studios)
Review Roundup: What the Critics Are Saying
So, is Scene worth your ticket? The early verdict from critics is mostly positive, with Suriya’s loosened-up performance and Naslen’s villain turn winning the most praise. Pinkvilla, which gave the film 3.5 out of 5, called it a fun entertainer powered by Suriya’s charm and swag, noting how he breaks his flawless image to play a deeply flawed character. The Week and Sakshi Post both rated it 3 out of 5, while Telugu360 was more reserved at 2.25 out of 5, and Filmy Focus went the lowest with 1.5 out of 5. The common complaints? An uneven pace in the first half and humour that does not always land. The common praise? A stylish second half, strong performances and a climax that lifts the film.
On social media, audience reactions have leaned positive, with many viewers singling out the interval block, the face-off scenes between Suriya and Naslen, and Nazriya’s action moments as the highlights of the theatrical experience.
Naslen’s chilling first look as Eeswaran, the antagonist of ‘Scene’. (Photo Credit: Zhagaram Studios)
Naslen: The Boy-Next-Door Turned Cold-Blooded Eeswaran
If there is one performance everyone is talking about, it is Naslen’s. The young Malayalam actor, loved for his boy-next-door roles, makes his Tamil debut with Scene — and that too in his very first villain role. As Eeswaran, he is calm, controlled and quietly menacing, holding his own in scene after scene opposite a star of Suriya’s stature. Critics have called his transition one of the film’s biggest surprises, and his character-poster — laughing maniacally behind police ‘do not cross’ tape — had already signalled before release that this would be no ordinary antagonist.
Nazriya Nazim and Suriya at a promotional event for ‘Scene’, where the ‘three films’ story became the talk of the town. (Photo: Times of India)
‘How Will I Reject a Suriya Sir Film?’ — Nazriya Sets the Record Straight
Now to the story that travelled even faster than the reviews. Days before the release, at a promotional event in Hyderabad, Suriya had revealed with a smile that his team had approached Nazriya for three of his earlier films and she had turned all of them down — and that she agreed only on the fourth attempt, for Scene. The remark instantly became a headline, and fans began asking why Nazriya kept saying no to Suriya.
At the film’s pre-release event in Kochi, Nazriya finally clarified her side of the story, and she did it with a laugh. “Suriya sir said that I rejected three of his films. It’s just a joke. Actually, it was because of dates and some other confusion. How will I reject a Suriya Sir film?” she said, making it clear that the missed collaborations were about scheduling and confusion — never about disinterest. She also expressed her happiness at being part of the project, saying, “I’m glad I’m the first heroine of a Jithu Madhavan film.”
A Tamil Comeback 12 Years in the Making
Scene is doubly special for Nazriya because it marks her return to Tamil cinema after a full 12 years — her last Tamil film was Thirumanam Enum Nikkah in 2014. This is also her first-ever collaboration with Suriya, a pairing fans had waited a long time to see. And she has not returned quietly: Nazriya has performed action sequences in the film, something she spoke about with visible excitement. The shoot itself, she said, never felt like work — with a largely Malayalam-speaking crew around her, it felt like a holiday.
For Suriya, who has praised her confidence and screen presence and called her a natural performer, the fourth attempt clearly proved worth the wait.
Nazriya Nazim as Maya in ‘Scene’ — her Tamil comeback film after 12 years. (Photo: Mathrubhumi)
More Photos From ‘Scene’
Nazriya Nazim with Naslen, who plays the antagonist Eeswaran, in a promotional still from ‘Scene’. (Photo: Cinema Express)
Nazriya, Suriya, director Jithu Madhavan and Naslen together at the film’s launch event. (Photo: 2D Entertainment)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Suriya’s ‘Scene’ movie about?
Scene is a dark-comedy crime entertainer in which Suriya’s quirky and flawed DSP Inbaraj hunts a serial killer, Eeswaran (Naslen), who hides behind a deceptively normal face. Nazriya Nazim plays Maya, who assists Inbaraj in the case.
Who plays the villain in ‘Scene’?
Malayalam actor Naslen plays the antagonist Eeswaran. It is his Tamil debut and his first-ever villain role, after being known for boy-next-door characters.
After how many years has Nazriya Nazim returned to Tamil cinema?
Nazriya has returned to Tamil cinema after 12 years with Scene. Her previous Tamil film was Thirumanam Enum Nikkah (2014), and Scene is her first collaboration with Suriya.
Will there be a ‘Scene’ Part 2?
The film lays the foundation for a second part, according to reviews, though the makers have not officially announced a sequel yet. An official confirmation is awaited.
Prasad Khabar’s verdict: Scene looks like a refreshing change of pace for Suriya and a dream comeback vehicle for Nazriya. 🎬 Dear readers, have you watched Scene yet? Tell us in the comments — who stole the show for you: Suriya’s quirky cop, Nazriya’s comeback, or Naslen’s villain?
