Thalapathy Vijay had reservations: Venkat Prabhu on de-aging challenges in The Greatest of All Time
Director Venkat Prabhu addressed criticism around The Greatest of All Time, assuring audiences that the final product will exceed expectations and deliver a "pakka commercial entertainer" that all age groups can enjoy.
Spark from The GOAT
On Saturday, filmmaker Venkat Prabhu released the much-anticipated trailer for his latest film, The Greatest of All Time, starring Thalapathy Vijay in the lead role. The trailer promises a high-octane action drama, sparking excitement among fans eager to see Vijay in a new avatar.
However, Venkat Prabhu has openly acknowledged that the response to Vijay's look in the film, particularly as seen in the "Spark" song, has been mixed. Fans were initially taken aback by the de-ageing effects used to portray a younger version of the actor, which led to some criticism. Reflecting on this, Venkat described it as a "huge learning experience."
"We heard all the concerns," Venkat admitted, noting that the initial plan was to depict Vijay as a 23-year-old. "He was concerned about becoming unrecognizable, which is understandable given his iconic status."
Venkat went on to explain that the young Thalapathy seen in the trailer represents the final look after considerable reworking of the VFX. "The final look of Vijay sir will be satisfying to everyone," he assured fans, adding that it might take some time for the audience to adjust to Vijay's new get-ups, considering how familiar his face is to the public.
Despite the initial reactions, Venkat emphasized that Vijay himself was pleased with the outcome. "Vijay sir has been observing what we've been doing from the beginning, and he's happy. He saw the movie already and is very happy with the output."
As for the film itself, Venkat described The Greatest of All Time as a "pakka commercial entertainer," crafted to appeal to audiences of all ages. "For a long time, we wanted to see Vijay sir in such a commercial space. We made this film in a way that everyone can enjoy it without any cringe," Venkat stated, confidently promising a treat for Vijay's fans.
The Greatest of All Time is due in cinemas on September 5.