The actor said, "Being a top hero doesn't matter. What's important is the audience and everyone is my fan in some way."
Published Aug 12, 2024 | 5:19 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 12, 2024 | 5:56 PM
You don’t know anything about my fans: Vikram replies to a journo
Vikram is currently promoting his upcoming film Thangalaan, directed by Pa Ranjith, across South Indian cities. The Tamil movie is set to release on 15 August for Independence Day alongside Raghu Thatha and Demonte Colony 2.
During a promotional press meet for the movie in Madurai, a reporter observed that Vikram doesn’t have the same fanbase as his contemporaries Suriya or Ajith Kumar.
Unfazed, Vikram responded, “You don’t know anything about my fans. Just come to the theatre and see for yourself,” eliciting laughter from the crowd.
The questioning continued with the reporter claiming Vikram isn’t considered one of Kollywood’s “top three heroes”.
The actor calmly replied, “Being a top hero doesn’t matter. What’s important is the audience. I know how to make films like Dhool (2003) and Saamy (2003), and I’ve given my best to Thangalaan. As far as I’m concerned, everyone is my fan in some way.”
Meanwhile, an anchor popular for his YouTube presence interjected, saying the other mentioned heroes have “haters”, while Vikram has none.
After the video surfaced on X, fans defended Vikram, criticising the reporter’s questions.
One fan called the question “extremely distasteful and disrespectful” to a legend like Vikram.
Another noted, “There was a time when only Vikram’s movies were hits, while Vijay and Ajith struggled.”
Team ‘Thangalaan’ enjoying breakfast at the famous Babai Hotel in Vijayawada during the promotions. (Supplied)
Vikram is known for his deep commitment to his roles and shuns easy work. Those familiar with his filmography understand the lengths he goes to make his characters believable.
In the December 2013 issue of Caravan, journalist Baradwaj Rangan profiled the Tamil superstar in “Man of Steel,” where Vikram shared the intense preparation he puts into his performances.
For his role as a blind singer in Kasi (2001), Vikram practised rolling his eyeballs into their sockets to reveal only the whites, gradually increasing the duration from one to five minutes. He even did this after applying glycerin for crying scenes.
During the shoot, Vikram kept his eyeballs rolled up all day and had to do eye exercises afterwards to prevent a squint.
He revealed, “My eyesight changed because of Kasi“. Once having perfect vision, he now wears glasses for driving, watching movies, and using his laptop.
Thangalaan is set in the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF). In the film, Vikram plays a tribal leader fighting the British Raj to protect his land. It also features Malavika Mohanan, Parvathy Thiruvothu, and Daniel Caltagirone.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
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