13 Years of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya: Interesting facts about Trisha and Silambarasan TR's cult romantic drama

The iconic film is directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon and had music by AR Rahman

Silambarasan and Trisha as Karthik and Jessie

It's been 13 years since Gautham Vasudev Menon's iconic romantic drama Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya hit screens. The film starring Silambarasan TR and Trisha explores the complicated relationship between a Hindu Tamil man and a Christian Malayali woman. The film attained a cult status over the years.

Trisha and Silambarasan team up after seven years
Trisha and Silambarasan had earlier worked together in Alai (2003), a romantic comedy helmed by Vikram Kumar. The film didn't open to great reviews. However, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya made them an onscreen couple to look forward to. Their chemistry was so lit in the film that, Gautham Menon later made a short film on the characters during the pandemic-induced lockdown.

Mahesh Babu was the initial choice for the lead role
When Gautham Menon, who had been making a series of action films, decided to take a break to make a romantic film, his initial choice for the lead actor was Mahesh Babu and to make the film in Telugu. Since Mahesh Babu refused to do the film, Gautham Menon started looking at other options and eventually zeroed in on Silambarasan TR. Silambarasan underwent a major makeover for his role as Karthik, the assistant film director. Ace comedian Vivekh was approached to play the mentor, but the role finally went too VTV Ganesh, which marked his breakthrough in films.

Gautham Menon's maiden collaboration with AR Rahman
Gautham Menon, who had always associated with music composer Harris Jayaraj for his films, decided to opt for AR Rahman this time around. The album received a cult status and became the first Tamil album to have its soundtrack premiere outside the country with the launch in BAFTA. The trio of Gautham Menon, AR Rahman and Silambarasan later collaborated for Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada (2016) and Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu (2022).

The Telugu version and the short
Gautham Menon also simultaneously shot the film in Telugu as Ye Maaya Chesave with Naga Chaitanya and Samantha in the lead. Trisha and Silambarasan played a cameo in the film. On the other hand, the Tamil version had Naga Chaitanya and Samantha playing cameos in the film. Cashing in on the chemistry of Silambarasan and Trisha,  Gautham Menon made a short titled Karthik Dial Seytha Yenn, in which they reprised their characters from the film. The film was also remade in Hindi as Ekk Deewana Tha with Amy Jackson and Prateik Babbar in the lead.

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