Turning down a Thalapathy Vijay movie: Cheran reveals his biggest career regret

While promoting his latest movie, Tamil Kudimagan, director-actor Cheran candidly revealed a major regret that has haunted him throughout his career. He deeply regrets passing up the opportunity to direct Thalapathy Vijay over two decades ago, believing it hindered his progress as a filmmaker.

"I still regret it. I'm not expressing this regret with the hope that Vijay sir will offer me another chance to work with him, but this feeling lingers in my heart," expressed Cheran.

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Cheran's biggest career mistake

Cheran recalled that he had first convinced Autograph keeping Vijay in mind. Vijay was impressed with the script and the way Cheran narrated it to him. "Vijay immerses himself when you narrate a script to him. After Sivaji sir, I have only seen Vijay sir listen to the narration with such dedication and attentiveness," he told SS Music. 

Owing to scheduling issues at the time, Vijay couldn't commit to Autograph. So, in addition to directing, Cheran also decided to take on the lead role. The movie was released in 2004 and became a smash hit at the box office.

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The success of Autograph became Cheran's calling card in the industry and subsequently landed him another opportunity to direct Vijay. "I was supposed to direct Vijay in a movie after Thavamai Thavamirundhu. But, I could finish Thavamai Thavamirundhu on time. It was a huge project. I didn't have the heart to leave the project halfway and move on to the other one. I asked him (Vijay) to postpone the shooting for three more months. Unfortunately, he had other commitments and allocated those dates to other directors," Cheran recalled. 

He revealed that he has still not managed to find resolve that issue with Vijay yet. He suggested that he has not been able to reconnect with Vijay, despite his best efforts.