''VIJAY PUT HIS HANDS ON MY SHOULDER AND TOOK ME TO GENELIA''

John Mahendran had directed Vijay in Sachien and on the eve of Ilayathalapathy Vijay’s birthday, he recalls with fondness about his Sachien times with the star.

“It was during the time of Ghilli’s 100 day celebrations that I first went to narrate Vijay the story of Sachien. The city was flooded with Appdi Podu posters. From the morning, people were saying various things about Vijay suggesting that he would be stone faced during narration and the likes.

But when I met him, within ten minutes, we had struck such a rapport that I never felt I was talking to a star. All that I felt was I was telling a story to my close friend. I never had any inhibitions. I was addressing him as Vijay and the person who took me there was chiding me to use ‘sir’.

I was a newcomer then and the comfort zone Vijay was providing me was simply awesome. He made me feel relaxed. You need a good listener for a good story teller which Vijay is.  I completely forgot that I have to impress this star for the project. I think he gives that comfort to every maker.

Later, when I went to meet him before the shoot, he told me, “Sir, you use a lot of hand gesticulations and body movements which I cannot do. So you please act out the scene and I will follow you”. 

There was a time when we were shooting a scene in Ooty which involved him and Genelia. I just explained the scene and felt if I had acted out, it would be like showing off. But he quietly came, put both his hands on my shoulders, took me to Genelia and said, ‘anna , panni kaatunga nna’. That’s the kind of rapport he has with directors. He makes you feel so special and successful.

There were times when I had asked him to change clothes many times. He would have done that so many times, but still, without flinching, without showing a face, he would oblige. I can go on and on until his next birthday, such is his nature”.

Here is wishing Vijay in advance a very happy birthday and more to come!

Jyothsna Bhavanishankar

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