The Stardom Paradox: Why Rajinikanth and Vijay Present Different Challenges for Directors
In the world of South Indian cinema, the scale of a project isn’t just measured by its budget, but by the sheer “crowd pull” of its protagonist. Acclaimed filmmaker A.R. Murugadoss, who has directed both Superstar Rajinikanth and Thalapathy Vijay, recently shared a candid observation regarding the logistical differences between the two icons.
“Rajini and Vijay are not the same,” Murugadoss reportedly stated, specifically referring to the practicalities of a film shoot. The director, known for his preference for authentic, real-world locations over artificial studio sets, explained how the gravity of Rajinikanth’s fame often overrides artistic preference.
The ‘Thuppakki’ Realism
During the making of the 2012 blockbuster Thuppakki, Murugadoss successfully captured the gritty, bustling energy of Mumbai by shooting in actual locations. Despite Thalapathy Vijay’s massive following, the production managed to navigate the streets, giving the film its signature realistic texture. Murugadoss noted that he personally finds more creative satisfaction when filming in “original places” rather than using sets.
The ‘Darbar’ Dilemma
However, the experience shifted significantly when he moved to the 2020 action-thriller Darbar, starring Superstar Rajinikanth. While the film was also set in Mumbai, the “Thalaivar” factor made real-location shooting nearly impossible.
“I always prefer shooting in original locations. I don’t like using sets. We shot ‘Thuppakki’ in real places, but we couldn’t do that for ‘Darbar’,” the director explained.
The reason? The sheer, uncontrollable volume of fans who assemble the moment Rajinikanth arrives on a public street. The director revealed that the crowd’s enthusiasm reached such heights that even a crucial railway station fight sequence—which he would have preferred to shoot on a real platform—had to be recreated entirely on a film set for safety and logistical reasons.
Conclusion
This revelation highlights a unique “burden of stardom.” For a director like Murugadoss, the challenge lies in balancing the desire for cinematic realism with the reality of managing thousands of devoted fans. While Vijay allows for a degree of “street-level” filmmaking, Rajinikanth’s presence essentially turns any public space into a stadium, forcing the production back into the controlled environment of the studio.
