He’s an Old Artiste’: Vaiyapuri Recalls Painful Rejection, Reveals Why He Joined Instagram

Tamil actor Vaiyapuri has opened up about the unexpected reason that led him to join Instagram, revealing that a painful experience with a director made him realise just how important social media has become in the film industry.

Known for his memorable comic and supporting roles in films such as Thullatha Manamum Thullum, Gemini and Pokkiri, Vaiyapuri made his Instagram debut on August 1. In just a month, the actor says the response from fans has left him overwhelmed, with his account crossing one lakh followers.

In a video shared on social media, Vaiyapuri recalled an incident that made him rethink his absence from the digital space.

According to the actor, a senior production manager had once contacted him and asked him to come to an office to meet a director regarding a potential opportunity. However, when he arrived, he was reportedly told that the director did not wish to meet him.

“The reason I started Instagram was because a big production manager once called me and said, ‘Come to the office. Let’s meet our director.’ So, I went to meet the director. But the director said, ‘He’s an old artiste. Tell him I’m not interested in meeting him,’” Vaiyapuri recalled.

The rejection left the actor embarrassed and hurt. He said the production manager later explained that many new artistes were now being noticed through platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, while actors without a social media presence were sometimes perceived as being from an older generation.

“That really hurt me. I started wondering, ‘Why shouldn’t I start an Instagram account?’ I didn’t know much about it, but I realised that new directors these days are very interested in Instagram and Facebook,” he said.

Rather than allowing the experience to discourage him, Vaiyapuri decided to embrace social media as another way of connecting with the industry and his audience.

He began sharing memories from his career, personal experiences and lessons from his years in Tamil cinema, not just to stay visible, but also to remind people that he continues to be part of the industry.

“So, I thought, at least to remind them that I’m still around, I could start sharing my experiences and the things I’ve learned over the years. That’s why I started this account,” he said.

What appears to have surprised him most, however, is the response from his fans.

“And honestly, in just this one month, I’ve realised how much love you all have for me and how much you care about me. That alone is more than enough for me,” Vaiyapuri said.

Before making a name for himself on screen, the actor worked as a hotel bearer in Chennai. His breakthrough came with Balu Mahendra’s Raman Abdullah, which helped him establish himself as a familiar face in Tamil cinema. He later shared the screen with Kamal Haasan in films including Kadhal Palli and Kaathala Kaathala. 

Over the years, Vaiyapuri became known for his distinctive comic timing and supporting performances in several popular films, including Thullatha Manamum Thullum, Gemini and Pokkiri. Another significant chapter in his career came with Mani Ratnam’s Raavanan in 2010, where he portrayed a transgender woman. The actor has previously described the role as a major turning point in his career.

In 2017, Vaiyapuri also entered the Bigg Boss Tamil house as a contestant in its first season, hosted by Kamal Haasan. He remained on the show for 84 days. More recently, he has continued to be part of Tamil entertainment, appearing in projects including Aazhi, TN 2026 and the series Warrant: From the World of Vilangu.

For Vaiyapuri, Instagram may have started with a painful rejection, but it has now become something much more meaningful, a space to reconnect with audiences, revisit his journey and remind Kollywood that he is still very much around.

Source / Image Credit : IndiaExpress