Vadivelu's signature humour, combined with director Sundar C's flair for crafting engaging and entertaining narratives, created a golden era of comedy in Tamil cinema. Their collaborations, especially Vadivelu’s iconic roles as Kaipulla, Veerabahu, and Singaram, have become legendary, offering a blend of slapstick and situational comedy that resonated with audiences throughout the 2000s. Many fans consider this period to be Vadivelu’s peak, with his unmatched timing and expressive acting style elevating every frame.
However, the golden streak between the actor and director began to dim post-2013. Their relationship saw strain during the production of Nagaram Marupakkam, where creative differences and scheduling conflicts took center stage. Vadivelu, who was also actively involved in political campaigning during that period, was reportedly unhappy with a six-minute comedy track featuring Santhanam that was added separately. Feeling sidelined, he eventually ceased attending the film’s shoots.
Even during the press meet of Kalakalappu 2, a reporter questioned Sundar C about the absence of leading comedians like Vadivelu and Santhanam in his recent films. The lasting curiosity and speculation surrounding their fallout. While the question seemed aimed more at Santhanam’s absence, especially since he played a pivotal role in Kalakalappu 1, it inadvertently rekindled discussions about Vadivelu's strained ties with the director.
Behind the scenes, further tension reportedly arose during the filming of Nagaram. Vadivelu, who charged a daily wage (reportedly around ₹10 lakh per day), had been booked for 10 days. Sundar C, aiming to optimize production costs, managed to complete nearly all of Vadivelu’s portions by the beginning of Day 9. However, Vadivelu allegedly delayed the shoot intentionally to push it into an extra day’s work, securing another day’s remuneration. This put immense pressure on the production team, and according to industry rumours, Sundar C was so stressed that he reportedly locked himself in his caravan after lunch, citing chest discomfort.
While these accounts remain speculative and unconfirmed officially, they paint a picture of a working relationship once filled with comic brilliance, but eventually tested by practical challenges. Despite the differences, now the duo is all set to garce the big screen after 14 years. Well, much-needed comeback!
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Source / Image Credit : Behindwoods
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