Varisu vs Thunivu: Five notable times when Ajith and Vijay films clashed at the box office

​Ajith and Vijay might be on affable terms and might have declared their respect for each other on various occasions, but the Thala-Thalapathy combo (Ajith has requested his fans to stop using the name Thala ) are considered box office rivals by their fans. This is precisely one of the reasons that the stars have avoided releases on the same dates for the last few years so that they do not affect each other's collections. But 2023 Pongal is going to be a tad different as films of both Ajith (Thunivu) and Vijay (Varisu) are lined up for release. Here are a few popular films of both actors that clashed at the Box Office.

Coimbatore Maapilai / Vaanmathi
The first clash between Ajith and Vijay happened in 1996, when both of them were rising stars. While Vijay was testing waters in romance along with comedy, Ajith played the typical chocolate boy roles in many films. In Coimbatore Maapillai, Vijay's comedy portions with Goundamani were a laugh riot, even as his chemistry with Sangavi was much talked about. Ajith played a chocolate boy in the romantic drama Vaanmathi, helmed by Agathiyan and collaborated with actress Swathi. Both films were commercial successes.

Friends /Dheena
In 2001, Vijay's Friends, which was a remake of the Malayalam film of the same name, helmed by Siddique hit screens. Vijay teamed up with his Nerukku Ner co-star Suriya in the film, along with Devayani and Vijayalakshmi. Vadivelu's portions as Contractor Nesamani were a scream. With Dheena, Ajith took the plunge into the action genre even as he doubled up as a romantic hero in the film. The film marked the debut of director AR Murugadoss and Laila, both of whom went on to have successful careers along with Ajith. Both Friends and Dheena set cash registers ringing at the box office.

Bagavathi/ Villain
Bhagavathi, an action entertainer, directed by A Venkatesh, released on Deepavali next year (2002). The film had Vijay teaming up with Reema Sen and Jai, a newcomer then, playing his younger brother. On the other hand, Ajith's Villain was a heist action film, written and directed by KS Ravikumar. Ajith played a dual role in it one of the characters played a character similar to that of modern day Robinhood. While both films worked well, Ajith's Villain was considered a box office dhamaka.

Pokkiri/ Alwar
In 2007, Vijay's Pokkiri, helmed by Prabhu Deva, rocked the box office. Pokkiri was a remake of the Telugu film Pokiri, which had Mahesh Babu in the lead. The film, which had Asin as the leading lady, revolves around a police officer who masquerades as a thug. With hit songs, Vadivelu's comedy and some heavy-duty action, the film was a complete package and became one of the highest grossers of the time. Alwar, on the other hand, had Ajith teaming up with debutant Chella. He played a priest who laters goes on to kill people as an act of revenge. The film tanked at the box office.

Jilla/ Veeram
Ajith and Vijay clashed once again in 2014. In Jilla, Vijay played Shakthi, the adopted son of Sivan (Mohanlal), the leader of a crime mafia. Shakthi later goes on to become a police officer. The film that also starred Kajal Aggarwal, was a commercial hit. Veeram, too, was an action drama by Siva, and had an ensemble cast. The plot revolved around Vinayagam (Ajith) a brave man from a village in Dindigul, who lives along with his four brothers. The film was a runaway hit.

​After 8 long years, Ajith's heist thriller directed by H Vinoth and bankrolled by Boney Kapoor will lock horns with Vijay's family drama-cum-entertainer helmed by Vamshi Paidipally and produced by Dil Raju. While Ajith will be seen as a stylish bank robber in Thunivu, Varisu will have Vijay playing a shutterbug-turned- businessman. Both the films have enough punch dialogues and mass scenes that play to the gallery. It will be the clash of the hero vs Aattanayagan.​

This apart, Ajith and Vijay also clashed during the release of Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen and Nesam, Poove Unakkaga and Kalloori Vasal, Kushi and Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven and Aadi and Paramasivan.​