Thuppakki turns 12: Thalapathy Vijay vs Akshay Kumar – who played it better?

Thuppakki marked a turning point in Thalapathy Vijay's career, elevating his stardom to new heights and redefining his screen image. Yet, the film’s landing in Vijay’s hands was a stroke of luck, as director AR Murugadoss hadn’t originally written it with him in mind. Initially envisioned for a different star, the project came to Vijay only after a series of negotiations and unexpected turns.

Vijay’s father, veteran filmmaker SA Chandrasekhar, played a crucial role in bringing Murugadoss and Vijay together, ultimately making Thuppakki possible.

ALSO READ: Shivarajkumar opens up on Thalapathy 69, Vijay's political ambitions: 'He's a fantastic human'

Released 12 years ago on November 13, Thuppakki was an instant hit, filling theatres and impressing even Vijay’s toughest critics. Although he may not have been the first choice, Vijay’s performance brought style, charm, and intensity that left an indelible mark on the character.

"I didn't make Thuppakki for Vijay sir. That's part of what made it so refreshing in his career. Initially, I wrote it for another hero, then pitched it to Akshay Kumar in Hindi. Akshay even approved the script, but when delays arose, I started production in Tamil," Murugadoss told Galatta Plus in an interview earlier.

After Thuppakki's massive success in South India, Murugadoss remade the movie in Hindi with Akshay Kumar, titled Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty. The Hindi remake was released in 2014 and became a box-office hit. 

Meanwhile, social media is buzzing with heated comparisons between Vijay and Akshay Kumar’s portrayals. Fans have shared side-by-side scenes, highlighting each actor’s unique approach to the role of a soldier foiling a terrorist attack during a holiday in Mumbai. Vijay brings vigour, swag, and style to his reactions and expressions, while Akshay portrays the character with a sense of maturity and a hint of realism. Which performance resonates more depends on individual preferences, as beauty truly lies in the eye of the beholder.

As another fun fact about the movie, Thuppakki marked Vijay’s first simultaneous release in Telugu, establishing him as a pan-Indian star with the potential to captivate audiences beyond Tamil cinema. Initially, Murugadoss had considered remaking the film in Telugu with Mahesh Babu in the lead role. However, with Thuppakki releasing in Telugu and becoming a hit, that plan was dropped. Interestingly, when asked about his favourite film by Murugadoss, Mahesh Babu has been known to say it’s Thuppakki.

Enjoy 35+ OTTs like ZEE5, LionsgatePlay, Ullu, SunNXT, SonyLIV, Fancode and 250+ Live TV channels at just ₹99