Tamil film Kaakha Kaakha (2003) was a game-changer for actor Suriya, catapulting him to stardom in the industry. The cop-drama, written and directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, not only marked a turning point in Suriya’s career but also garnered critical acclaim and commercial success. However, what many might not know is that before Suriya, the lead role in Kaakha Kaakha was offered to top actors like Thalapathy Vijay, Ajith Kumar, and Vikram.
The Initial Offer of ‘Kaakha Kaakha‘
Gautham Vasudev Menon, in an interaction with Cinema Vikatan, revealed that the script of Kaakha Kaakha was first narrated to Thalapathy Vijay. Actress Jyothika played a pivotal role in initiating the project and convincing the director to approach leading actors for the film. Despite narrating the script to A-listers like Vikram and Ajith, it was Thalapathy Vijay who was initially considered for the role.
Thalapathy Vijay’s Decision
While other actors cited reasons like scheduling conflicts or script preferences, Thalapathy Vijay’s reason for not taking up the project was the incomplete script. Gautham Menon admitted that he had about 80-85% of the script ready during the narration, but it didn’t meet Vijay’s expectations. The actor reportedly preferred a fully completed script before committing to a project, which led to the project not materializing with him.
Gautham Menon’s Journey
Kaakha Kaakha was Gautham Menon’s second film after the romantic musical Minnale, and it showcased his versatility as a director. The cop-drama not only impressed the audience and critics but also caught the attention of filmmakers across industries. The success of Kaakha Kaakha prompted its official remake in Hindi titled Force, starring John Abraham and Genelia D’Souza in the lead roles.
In the world of cinema, decisions and choices play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of a project. While Kaakha Kaakha might have been a game-changer for Suriya, it’s interesting to imagine how the film would have turned out with Thalapathy Vijay, Ajith Kumar, or Vikram in the lead role. So, when Gautham Menon narrated the script of Kaakha Kaakha to Thalapathy Vijay, Ajith Kumar, and Vikram, it was a pivotal moment in the pre-production phase of the film. Each actor’s unique style and preferences ultimately led to Suriya bagging the lead role, setting the stage for one of Tamil cinema’s most iconic cop dramas.
Each proficient actor could bring a unique style and charm to their characters, and it’s fascinating to speculate on the different dynamics they could have brought to the iconic cop-drama.
