Before teaming up with Shah Rukh Khan for Jawan, Atlee had already established himself as one of Tamil cinema’s prominent filmmakers. But the opportunity to make his Hindi debut with the superstar came with an unexpected reaction from Vijay, whom Atlee credits as an important influence on his journey. Speaking at the audio launch of Vijay Sethupathi’s Baththa in Chennai on Friday, September 18, the filmmaker recalled Tamil Nadu CM Vijay’s response to the news and reflected on how the actor has supported his career.
Atlee opens up about Vijay’s influence on his career
At the event, Atlee acknowledged Thalapathy Vijay’s contribution to his journey, crediting the actor with playing a significant role in his success. Vijay quit films earlier this year to focus on his political career. He said, “The
shirt, pants, and watch I wear today, I earned through hard work. But I also think it’s because of my anna, Thalapathy Vijay. Without him there’s absolutely no chance…no chance.”
— Laxmi Kanth (@iammoviebuff005) September 18, 2026
The filmmaker recalled that his second film, Raja Rani (2013), brought him recognition, which he attributed to the blessings of God, his parents and his wife. He went on to credit Thalapathy Vijay with giving his career a fresh lease of life through their collaborations on Theri (2016), Mersal (2017) and Bigil (2019).
Further, Atlee recalled how Vijay reacted after he landed Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan. The director said, “When Shah Rukh sir came to my office, we had a meeting. He told me, look, I don’t care what you do or how you handle it, just stop hovering around me. Please go ahead and do that film; it will change the course of your career. My life changed, and I am thankful to Vijay anna.”
Atlee also acknowledged that some people might assume he frequently mentions Vijay because he hopes to work with him again. However, he said he does not expect another film with the actor, who has now become the Chief Minister, while maintaining that Vijay remains like a brother to him. He further added, “I am from a previous generation; I have never seen assembly sessions. But now, even a five-year-old is watching assembly in the morning. I think Vijay anna is creating a solid generation, there’s no doubt about it.”
Meanwhile, Atlee is currently busy shooting for Raaka, starring Allu Arjun and Deepika Padukone. It also stars Rashmika Mandanna, Janhvi Kapoor and Mrunal Thakur in key roles.
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