Famed Tamil actor and politician Vijayakanth passed away on the morning of December 28, in Chennai following complications arisen as a result of pneumonia. The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) political party founder's unexpected passing has been mourned by the film industries at large. In the wake of the same, AR Murugadoss has opened up about the time he spent with Vijayakanth as he directed the latter for Ramana.

AR Murugadoss shares how Vijayakanth helped put him at ease

In an exclusive interview with Galatta, Tamil director AR Murugadoss opened up about how at the time of filming for his 2002 release Ramana, he had been extremely hesitant about how he would find it in himself to direct an artist as senior as Vijayakanth. However, the director shared that it was Vijayakanth who took to first step in putting him at ease and cultivating a relationship which ultimately enabled Murugadoss to come into his own on the sets. 

He said, "I was a bit hesitant during the first two days of the shooting about how I would direct him. But, as the shooting progressed, he understood that I was hesitating and he would sit with me and indulge in conversations. We would eat together and that distance between us went away soon. He would also discuss various topics with me to make my anxiousness go away. And, that is the reason why I was able to make such a big film. If that distance between us remained till the end of the shooting, that communication would not have happened. I was able to make the film because he made the rapport easy between us."

AR Murugadoss reveals how Vijayakanth came on board for Ramana

Murugadoss further revealed how there were many who were of the opinion that Vijayakanth should not have portrayed a parent back in 2002. However, Vijayakanth was convinced with the power of the script ever since its narration and decided to go against popular opinion to essay the role of professor Ramana in the film.

He said, "I was told that he should not play a parent and that he wanted a climax without his death. As I began narrating the story, he got engrossed in the story and gave his nod when I shared the climax that I had initially planned. That was how the film began. It was his belief in the script that convinced him to agree to do the film."