Sarfira and Soorarai Pottru : An entrepreneur is an individual who generates wealth in previously untapped areas by establishing a new market and attracting new customers. They innovate and introduce unique concepts, transforming existing values in significant ways that can influence society at large. This perspective reflects the sentiments expressed by former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, when describing the essence of Capt. Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar Gopinath, the inspiration for the 2020 film Soorarai Pottru and Akshay Kumar’s Sarfira.
A film that won seven National Film Awards across different categories for its Tamil version, with Suriya and Aparna Balamurali receiving accolades for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.
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Recognized as the pioneer of budget airlines in India, Capt. Gopinath was truly a visionary. He not only aspired to make air travel accessible to all but also succeeded in offering tickets for as low as Rs 1, enabling thousands of passengers who would have otherwise been unable to afford flying.
During an era when air travel was considered a luxury, Capt. Gopinath transformed the aviation industry in India with his budget airline. Hailing from humble beginnings as a poor village boy, he established Deccan Airlines, which eventually became the largest airline in the country.
After dedicating eight years to military service and participating in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971-72, where he achieved the rank of captain, he decided to retire from the Indian Army at the age of 28 due to a sense of confinement.
Sarfira and Soorarai Pottru
In his autobiography, Simply Fly, Capt. Gopinath reflects on his relentless pursuit and continuous ambition. I experienced a dual existence, akin to a palimpsest where one layer overlapped another. While the rural life enveloped me in its charm, I wandered joyfully like a musk deer, overwhelmed by happiness and entranced by my own essence.
I frequently had to return to reality, focusing on making a living and providing for my family. Unconsciously and instinctively, I kept finding myself involved in one venture after another.
Capt. Gopinath started his journey by raising livestock for milk production, ventured into poultry and silkworm farming, and later became a motorcycle dealer. He also owned a hotel in Udupi, worked as a stockbroker, sold irrigation equipment, served as an agriculture consultant, entered politics, and ultimately became an aviation entrepreneur. His life story is one of continuous struggle and resilience, marked by ups and downs that he reflects on in his autobiography.
In the foreword of Capt. Gopinath’s biography, Simply Fly, penned by APJ Abdul Kalam, it is noted that Gopinath drew motivation from the tale of a Vietnamese orphan girl. This girl learned to fly helicopters to assist in the reconstruction of her nation following the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1975, which influenced Gopinath’s decision to launch a low-cost airline.
The path was fraught with challenges, yet Gopinath’s relentless determination and unwavering dedication ultimately brought his vision to fruition. He inaugurated his inaugural airline services on August 25, 2003, with a route connecting Bengaluru to Hubbali. Targeting middle-class passengers, the airline offered affordable fares and a wide-reaching network. To maintain profitability, it implemented various innovative strategies within its business framework.
In 2007, it rose to become the second biggest airline in India, experiencing a remarkable 42% increase in passenger numbers. During this period of expansion, several other budget airlines entered the Indian market, including SpiceJet, GoAir, IndiGo, and JetLite, all established between 2005 and 2007.
The occurrences surrounding these events, along with the book, motivated director Sudha Kongara to create a Tamil film called Soorarai Pottru. Although it was released directly on an OTT platform because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie garnered significant praise and won seven National Film Awards. Now, Kongara is preparing for the theatrical debut of the Hindi adaptation, Sarfira, which features Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Seema Biswas, and Paresh Rawal in leading roles. Notably, Paresh Rawal also appeared in the Tamil version of the film.
In a recent conversation with Galatta Plus, Sudha Kongara explained her decision to create a film about Capt. Gopinath. She highlighted his relentless spirit, noting how he persevered for a decade in pursuit of his license despite constant advice to resort to bribery. He firmly stated, I can’t bear to look at myself if I do that, while his wife supported him financially during this challenging time.