It is well known that Simbu and Ajith shared a special rapport, so much so that the former never shied away from openly declaring it even in his films. However, when Simbu announced a few years ago that he would not be using Ajith’s name or dialogues in his films, it did not go down too well with the latter’s fans. Also, the fact that Vijay helped Simbu’s father T Rajendar in releasing Idhu Namma Aalu (2016) added fuel to the speculations that Simbu had switched loyalties.
After all these years, Simbu has come out with an explanation on what had happened. Speaking to YouTube channel Valai Pechu, he said that he did not want to use Ajith’s popularity to further his career and that was the reason he stopped using his name or dialogues in his films. Even so, Simbu says Ajith still has a special place in his heart and his adulation for him has always been there.
Simbu has completed shooting for Chekka Chivantha Vaanam recently. Directed by Mani Ratnam, the film has a bevy of stars in the cast including Arvind Swami, Arun Vijay, Vijay Sethupathi, Jyothika, Aditi Rao Hydari, Aishwarya Rajesh and Dayana Erappa. Oscar winning music director AR Rahman is composing the tunes for this action thriller while Santosh Sivan has cranked the camera and A Sreekar Prasad is the editor.
Chekka Chivantha Vaanam is bankrolled by Mani Ratnam and Subaskaran under the banners Madras Talkies and Getaway Films, and will be distributed by Lyca Productions. The film is currently in the post-production mode and will be hitting the silver screens later this year. According to reports, its Telugu dubbed version has been titled Nawab and will be out in theatres along with the Tamil version.
(Content provided by Digital Native)