Actor Swasika, a rising favourite among Tamil audiences following her roles in Lubber Pandhu and Retro, was a star of the evening at the recent Touring Talkies Frame and Fame Awards. After securing an acting prize for her performance in Maaman, the star used her acceptance speech to pay a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Thalapathy Vijay.

When asked which Tamil icon she would most like to introduce to the Malayalam film industry, Swasika did not hesitate. Despite Vijay’s looming retirement from the silver screen to pursue a full-time political career, she expressed a collective yearning to see him cross over.

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"Even with his departure from acting on the horizon, we would love to welcome him to Malayalam cinema, where he would be celebrated immensely," she remarked.

Swasika, a self-confessed "superfan," admitted that while a screen collaboration might remain a dream, Vijay was the first person she envisioned for the tribute.

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The timing is poignant; Vijay’s final cinematic outing, Jana Nayagan, is currently facing a "censorship logjam." Reports suggest the Censor Board has referred the film to the Election Commission due to its sensitive political undertones ahead of the state assembly elections. Meanwhile, Swaswika will play a notable role in upcoming film Karuppu, directed by RJ Balaji and featuring an ensemble cast including Suriya. (With inputs from Agencies)