Celebrated filmmaker Atlee, known for his knack for delivering box office blockbusters, is currently promoting Baby John, the Hindi adaptation of his Tamil hit Theri. Fresh off the success of Jawan starring Shah Rukh Khan, Atlee shared his insights on creating commercially successful films in a recent interview.
Despite being just six films into his career, Atlee has established himself as a director who consistently delivers massive box office numbers. He attributes his success to a fearless approach to storytelling and an understanding of what appeals to the masses.
He said that stars like Vijay (Bigil, Theri) and Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) placed his faith in Atlee’s unconventional choices, which paid off handsomely. Atlee highlighted how his characters’ larger-than-life personas resonate with audiences. He recounted a pivotal moment during the making of Jawan, where he convinced Shah Rukh Khan to embrace the duality of his characters.
Atlee pitched Vikram Rathore, the older character in Jawan, as a “mass hero”. Shah Rukh initially believed Azad, the younger character, would connect more with fans but he told SRK, “Sir, you wait and watch”. After the release, the overwhelming audience response to Vikram Rathore proved Atlee right.
Atlee emphasized that trust from leading actors has been instrumental in his filmmaking journey. Whether portraying Vijay in an older avatar or Shah Rukh Khan in dual roles, these collaborations have reinforced his creative instincts and ability to craft memorable cinematic moments.
