 He subsequently worked as an assistant director in the teams of "Aasai" (1995) under Vasanth and "Sundara Purushan" (1996) under Sabapathy, while also being seen in uncredited appearances as an actor, notably as a cock fighter in Bharathiraja's "Kizhakku Cheemayile" (1993).While working in the team of "Ullaasam" (1997), the film's lead actor Ajith Kumar recognised Surya from their collaboration in "Aasai", and accepted to listen to a script narration.Ajith, impressed with the narration, subsequently helped approach S. S. Chakravarthy to produce the film and the team began work on "Vaali" (1999) in late 1997.