Vignesh Shivan, one of Tamil cinema's most celebrated directors, has opened up about his aspirations to work with Tamil superstar Ajith. Vignesh began his career with Poda Podi (2012), which, despite not receiving much attention, was followed by his much-acclaimed Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015).

In a recent interview with Galatta Plus (Mega Pan India Director’s Roundtable 2024), Vignesh spoke about his admiration for Thala Ajith and how their paths nearly crossed on a project. Vignesh recalled that Ajith had expressed his fondness for the character of Killivalavan, played by R. Parthiban in Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. The two had previously met during the filming of Yennai Arindhaal, a film directed by Gautham Menon, where Vignesh had written a song. It was during this time that Ajith had shared his appreciation for the character and indicated that he would like to portray something similar.

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Encouraged by Ajith’s interest, Vignesh had worked on a script with a character in mind that he felt suited the actor. However, despite his enthusiasm, the producers were not interested in the subject matter for such a high-profile star.

Vignesh later found parallels between his script and the Malayalam film Aavesham, which was released recently. He noted that Aavesham, a film mixing comedy, mass appeal, and emotion, seemed to fit the kind of film Ajith would excel in. Vignesh believed that Ajith, with his immense star power, could deliver an engaging performance that would captivate audiences, blending humor, mass appeal, and emotion effectively.

Reflecting on his journey, Vignesh shared that Naanum Rowdy Dhaan was the film that had brought him closer to Ajith. He recalled how the actor had mentioned his admiration for the character Parthiban and expressed a desire to take on a role in a similar vein. Though the opportunity to work with Ajith on a directorial project didn’t materialize at the time, Vignesh remains optimistic that a collaboration could still happen in the future, especially with the right combination of mass appeal and emotional depth that a film like Aavesham could offer.

Vignesh’s words shed light on his ongoing admiration for Ajith and his desire to bring a film that marries mass appeal with genuine emotion, a project that would be a refreshing challenge for any actor, particularly a superstar like Ajith. (With inputs from Agencies)