Thalapathy Vijay began his acting career as a child artist in 'Vetri' in 1984, reportedly earning just Rs 500 for the film. Today, he stands as one of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema, with reports suggesting he commands close to Rs 200 crores for his upcoming movie 'Jana Nayagan.' Over a career spanning more than three decades, Vijay has delivered numerous successful films and amassed a massive global fan base. However, what sets him apart is his history of turning down several blockbuster movies. Some were rejected due to scheduling conflicts, while others failed to resonate with him at the time. Here's a look at the major films Vijay missed during his illustrious career.
'Mudhalvan' – A Political Drama Vijay Declined
After Rajinikanth reportedly declined 'Mudhalvan,' director S. Shankar approached Vijay for the lead role. However, Vijay harbored doubts about the story and its political undertones, leading him to withdraw from the project. The role eventually went to Arjun Sarja, and the film became a cult classic in Tamil cinema.
'Autograph' – The Emotional Drama Vijay Passed On
The National Award-winning film 'Autograph' was reportedly offered to Vijay. Director Cheran later decided to play the lead role himself after Vijay and several other actors turned down the project. This emotional drama went on to become one of the most acclaimed Tamil films of its era.
'Run' – A Major Commercial Hit Vijay Missed
Director N. Linguswamy initially approached Vijay for 'Run,' but the actor declined for undisclosed reasons. The film later starred R. Madhavan and became a blockbuster hit, eventually being remade in Hindi as well.
'Sandakozhi' – Vijay Rejected the Role That Made Vishal a Mass Hero
A few years after 'Run,' Linguswamy again approached Vijay for 'Sandakozhi.' However, Vijay was not convinced about the role and rejected the film. The movie later went to Vishal and became one of the biggest Tamil hits of 2005, playing a pivotal role in establishing Vishal's action hero image.
'Singam' – The Cop-Action Hit That Went to Suriya
Director Hari reportedly first approached Vijay for 'Singam.' However, Vijay could not take up the project due to personal reasons. The role later went to Suriya, and the film became one of the biggest hits of 2010. Its success led to numerous remakes and sequels in languages such as Hindi and Punjabi.
'Anegan' – Vijay Suggested Dhanush for the Film
K. V. Anand, the director of 'Anegan,' preferred to cast Vijay as the male lead. But Vijay was already busy with films like 'Jilla' and 'Kaththi,' making it difficult to allot dates. Reports indicate that Vijay loved the script and even suggested Dhanush for the role. The film later became a successful romantic thriller.
