‘Vikram’ audio launch: Suriya plays a cameo, Kamal Haasan and Pa Ranjith to collaborate

Here are the highlights and a few takeaways from the recently-concluded ‘Vikram’ audio and trailer launch

A young Lokesh Kanagaraj used to often hear stories of how Kamal Haasan would go to the terrace of his Alwarpet residence to get fresh air, and would sometimes wave at fans waiting below. A then aspiring director and fanboy, Lokesh would roam around Kamal’s house with the harboured hope that the star would one day wave at him. All that Lokesh hoped for was a wave from Kamal.

But he landed the rare opportunity to say ‘action and cut’ to his “cinema aandavar”. And that too in his fourth film, Vikram, which marks Kamal’s 232 film. Speaking at the recent audio and trailer launch of Vikram, Lokesh recalled his journey thus far which now seems to have come a full circle.

“I am a believer. I have told this many times, I learnt all aspects of filmmaking by watching Kamal sir’s films. I’ve been blessed to have this opportunity to work with him. I believe in commitment towards work. Before Vikram, there was a nine-year journey that has led to where I am today. From day one, there was not a single demand from Kamal sir and he trusted me completely,” said Lokesh, while also introducing his team of 16 assistant directors, crediting them for the hard work that went into making this rather complex action-thriller.

The trailer of Vikram which hints at an explosive action extravaganza, has a battalion of stars including Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil, Narein, Kalidas Jayaram and Gayathrie. To everyone’s surprise, Lokesh thanked actor Suriya for agreeing to play a cameo.

It was a no-brainer for Sethupathi when Lokesh approached him for the role. For Sethupathi, more than acting alongside Kamal, it was about getting an opportunity to interact with the actor about his approach to acting and life. Recalling the incident about how Sethupathi was rejected for the role of a background artist in Kamal’s Nammavar, he said the seed was perhaps sown around that time. 

“I was rejected because I used to be very lean and I couldn’t even grow a moustache back then. But I remember very clearly that Kamal sir was on the set on a greenbike. During the break, he was talking with fellow actors Madhan Bob and Karan, and I was wondering what he was talking about. I wanted that and Vikram gave me that chance,” said Sethupathi, who, for the first time, underwent an acting workshop for a week for this film.

“I saw this as an opportunity to learn from Kamal sir. When you are given the scene paper and when you come prepared to act with Kamal sir, I just wanted to know and understand how he would approach the same scene, and how different it is from mine. He used to share a wealth of information about acting, life and cinema. What I learnt is, for you to grow and prosper, you need to be grounded,” he added.