Vikram: Did Amitabh Bachchan decline a cameo role in the Kamal Haasan-starrer, which eventually went to Suriya?

During the Vikram audio launch, filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj thanked actor Suriya for agreeing to play a cameo in the Kamal Haasan film. Grapevine has it that Amitabh Bachchan was first approached for the same. As he couldn't accept the offer, owing to his prior commitments, the opportunity has gone to Suriya. However, an official confirmation is awaited. Multiple reports, published in March, claimed the role played by the Bollywood Superstar would be short but important to the storyline of Vikram.

Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan had earlier shared screen space in Geraftaar (1985) and Khabardar (which was shelved).

Also starring Madhavi and Poonam Dhillon, Geraftaar, directed by Prayag Raaj was declared a hit at the box office and went on to become the third highest-grossing film of the year. Notably, the film had Rajinikanth playing a minor role.

In an interview, director Bhagyaraj revealed why Khabardar was dropped midway. "Amitabh Bachchan didn't want Kamal Haasan to steal the limelight in a film featuring him as the lead. He then offered bulk dates to the producers of Khabardar as compensation," the actor-filmmaker alleged.

Big B always had strong bonds with actors in the Tamil film industry, in particular, Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. Amitabh Bachchan played second fiddle to Rajinikanth in Andha Kanoon, while he was a star in the north. 

A source told OTTplay, "Suriya shot for two days. He had absolute fun on the sets of Vikram. His screen time lasts for about ten minutes." The source, further, added, "It was a sort of timely help. Suriya looks up to Kamal sir, as a mentor, and can never deny the latter's requests."

A few days before the Vikram trailer launch, a video of Suriya meeting Kamal had gone viral, on social media.

Vikram, bankrolled by Raaj Kamal Films International, along with R Mahendran, marks Kamal Haasan's return to the silver screen after four years.

The supporting cast in the film includes Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil, Narain, Kalidas Jayaram, Arjun Das, Chemban Vinod Jose, Gayathrie and others.

Vikram will have a theatrical release on June 3.