Behind the Scenes of 'Run': A Missed Opportunity for Thalapathy Vijay
The Journey of 'Run' and Its Impact
The legendary Tamil film 'Run' is set to hit theaters on July 10. In anticipation of its release, director N. Lingusamy has shared a captivating behind-the-scenes anecdote regarding the 2002 hit. He disclosed that the action-packed drama was initially intended for Thalapathy Vijay, who was never informed about the project before it was declined. Ultimately, the film was offered to Madhavan, marking a significant milestone in his career and becoming one of the most successful films in Tamil cinema history. In a recent promotional discussion, Lingusamy reflected on the lost opportunity, Vijay's response to the film's success, and how 'Run' influenced the careers of those involved.
Originally Intended for Vijay
In an interview with Galatta Plus, Lingusamy revealed that he had envisioned 'Run' with the now Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in mind. Following the success of his debut film 'Aanandham', the script was presented to RB Choudary, who rejected it. It then reached AVM Productions. Lingusamy recounted, "Saravanan sir (the producer) liked the story immensely. He forwarded it to Vijay's father, SA Chandrasekhar, who remarked, 'This is a love story with action.' However, since they were working on 'Thamizhan' at the time, he felt that this project would seem minor in comparison. Consequently, they opted not to proceed, and Vijay was never informed about it."
Lingusamy expressed that this rejection remains one of his career's greatest disappointments. He stated, "Of all the films I was supposed to collaborate on with Vijay, this was the most significant. I lost that chance. Afterward, he went on to star in the remake of 'Okkadu', which became 'Ghilli'." The film eventually reached Madhavan, who was primarily recognized for his romantic roles. 'Run' marked his transition into action films and became one of the top Tamil blockbusters of 2002.
Vijay's Response to 'Run's Success
Despite not being part of the project, Vijay later congratulated Lingusamy after 'Run' achieved tremendous success. The director reminisced about their encounter at a party at Le Meridien, saying, "Vijay walked in, and everyone turned their attention to him. He spotted me from afar, approached me, shook my hand, and said, 'You have done a fantastic job, anna.' I will always remember that moment." Lingusamy admitted he was upset that Vijay did not hear the second half of the script, but Vijay reassured him by saying he was a valuable asset to the film industry, which made Lingusamy smile.
Reflecting on Vijay's remarkable journey, Lingusamy noted, "Nobody anticipated he would rise to such prominence and make such a significant impact. He showed up and proved everyone wrong." 'Run' also featured Meera Jasmine, Raghuvaran, and Anu Haasan, with its interval twist and music receiving considerable acclaim.