Kamal Haasan, Vijay, Rajinikanth: When reuniting with old directors doesn't always guarantee a 'Nayagan' or 'Mersal'

Time of India

a day ago

In the changing landscape of Tamil cinema, stars face a crucial decision in choosing a director for their next film. Reuniting with an old trusted director or teaming up with a new talent? This decision has the power to elevate or derail a star's journey.
Both approaches have strengths, but audience expectations, story, and context determine success.
The power and pressure of reunions
Old alliances create a unique impact in Kollywood. Rajinikanth-Shankar collaborations like 'Sivaji' and 'Enthiran' have been record-breaking box office hits and have captivated generations. The Vijay-Atlee duo delivered 'Theri', 'Mersal,' and 'Bigil', creating a string of hits. But not all old alliances are successful.
Kamal Haasan
and
Mani Ratnam
's 'Thug Life' failed to make the same impact as 'Nayagan' and faced criticism.
This shows that old alliances often come under the pressure of expectations.
Fresh director, fresh perspective
There is a special charm when teaming up with a new director. Dhanush-Maari Selvaraj's 'Karnan' captivated audiences with a strong village story. Similarly, Rajinikanth-Karthik Subbaraj's 'Petta' impressed the audience by combining the superstar's old charm and new perspective. The vision and experience of a new director give an actor the opportunity to create new roles, which can take the star to new heights.
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Reunions vs fresh collaborations
Both approaches have their pros and cons. Teaming up with an old director is a strong friendship and understanding, and it also brings with it the expectations of the fans. But there is also the pressure to surpass previous successes. Meanwhile, the strength of teaming up with a new director is the opportunity to create a new vision, new storytelling opportunities, and an environment that faces new challenges.
But there is also the risk of failure.
Story matter most
In the end, what matters more than which path is best is a good story, strong direction, and the actor's search for innovation. No matter which director you team up with, new or old, only if the story and character are conducive to the actor's development will that partnership create a breakthrough in Tamil cinema. When the needs of the times, the desires of the fans, and the strength of the story come together in one place, a star can use any path to success.
'Even if I work with
Vijay
or SRK, I treat every film like the first. New ideas matter more than familiarity', said Atlee in a public event post the success of 'Jawan'.
'Fresh stories and fresh teams excite me. It gives a chance to show a different side of myself' said
Dhanush
when team up with Mari Selvaraj for 'Karnan'.
'Reuniting with old friends like Mani Ratnam feels like going back home. But working with new talents reminds me why I fell in love with acting' said Kamal Haasan about his reunion with Mani Ratnam for 'Thug Life.'
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A timeless truth: Good stories build legends
In today's era, audiences expect the new and the old equally. Memorable stories, strong visuals, and the hard work of the actors are the key to a film's success. So whatever path a star chooses, it should be one that showcases their individuality and delights their fans. Whether the director is old or new, the core of that collaboration is a good story. A good story is what turns a star, a director, and a film into a memorable story.