RJ Balaji recalls fallout with Nayanthara: 'We used to be good friends...'

RJ Balaji recently opened up about his first interaction with director Vignesh Shivan and how their professional relationship evolved over the years. Recalling the incident, Balaji shared that he used to maintain a healthy distance from filmmakers and actors during his time as a radio jockey to ensure his reviews remained unbiased.

“One night, around 1:30 AM, I got a call from someone claiming to be Vignesh Shivan. He told me he had directed a movie called Poda Podi. I was irritated and lashed out at him for calling so late and hung up,” Balaji recalled with a laugh during a conversation with Cinema Vikatan.

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The next day, Balaji called Vignesh back to understand the purpose of the late-night call. “At the time, Poda Podi had not been released, but everyone in the industry knew about it because it had been in production for four years,” he said. Despite their awkward first interaction, Balaji reviewed the film positively after its release.

“People started saying I was biased because they thought I was his friend. To avoid such perceptions, I reduced contact with him,” Balaji explained.

Their paths crossed again when Vignesh Shivan approached Balaji for a role in Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. Initially hesitant, Balaji accepted the offer due to his rapport with Vijay Sethupathi and the opportunity to work alongside Nayanthara. His performance was well-received, cementing his position as a comedian in Tamil cinema.

“I was very nervous about acting with Nayanthara, but she made everyone on set feel comfortable. Until Mookuthi Amman, I had only happy memories of working with her. During Mookuthi Amman, we had creative differences, which we handled in a very dignified way. They (Nayanthara and Vignesh) used to be very good friends,” Balaji said.

Balaji wrote and directed Mookuthi Amman, a devotional satire starring Nayanthara in the titular role. The film critiqued the nexus between religion and politics and was released directly on streaming platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was well-received by audiences.

Although a sequel to Mookuthi Amman with Nayanthara has been announced, Balaji won’t be directing it. Instead, director Sundar C will helm the project.

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