Cinema VinesAtlee, the director who made a splash with the 2023 blockbuster Jawan starring Shah Rukh Khan, took the stage at the audio launch of Vijay Sethupathi’s upcoming film Baththa in Chennai on Friday evening to thank Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister and superstar Vijay for the role he played in the filmmaker’s career. The event, held at the HTon Google Filmmaker venue, saw Atlee reflect on his journey from the modest beginnings of Raja Rani (2013) to the high‑profile projects that followed.
Speaking to the audience, Atlee said, “The shirt, pants, and watch I wear today, I earned through hard work. But I also think it’s because of my anna, Thalapathy Vijay. Without him there’s absolutely no chance…no chance.” He went on to credit Vijay for giving him a second lease on life, citing the success of Theri (2016), Mersal (2017) and Bigil (2019) as proof of the superstar’s influence.
Atlee recounted a pivotal meeting with Shah Rukh Khan, who had approached him to direct Jawan. “He told me, look, I don’t care what you do or how you handle it, just stop hovering around me. Please go ahead and do that film; it will change the course of your career,” the director said. He added that the decision to take on the project was a turning point, and he expressed deep gratitude to Vijay for encouraging him to accept the offer.
When asked about Vijay’s recent elevation to Chief Minister, Atlee said he would not be able to collaborate on another film with the superstar, but that Vijay remains a brother in spirit. He praised the political shift, claiming it will “create a solid generation” in Tamil Nadu and that even young children are now watching assembly sessions, a testament to Vijay’s impact on public life.
Following the success of Jawan, Atlee has begun shooting a sci‑fi creature film titled Raaka, starring Allu Arjun and Deepika Padukone. Promotional material hints at a futuristic storyline, though details are still forthcoming. Meanwhile, Vijay’s own film, Jana Nayagan, finally opened in theatres in July after a delay caused by CBFC certification, and it has become the highest‑grossing Tamil film of 2026.
