(This article is authored by Alar)

In a candid revelation, Vijay's father, SA Chandrasekar, subtly critiqued a popular director, leaving fans speculating that the remarks were aimed at none other than Lokesh Kanagaraj of "Leo" fame. Speaking at the audio launch of "Desingu Raja 2," Chandrasekar delved into the challenges of offering constructive criticism to this new directors.

Sharing an incident without explicitly naming the director, he recounted how he had watched an unnamed film, potentially hinting at Leo, and tried to provide feedback. Chandrasekar expressed, “I happened to see the first copy of a film before its release, and I called the director to share my views. As long as I was appreciating the film, he was thanking me. But the moment I started pointing out my issues with the film, he cut the call, saying he was about to have food and that he would call later. But he never called back.”

SAC went on to highlight a specific aspect in the film, hinting at an issue in the second half, relating to religious belief. “I told him such things don’t really happen and it won’t work. Upon release, the same portions faced criticism from the fans and critics.” The seasoned filmmaker, who introduced Vijay as a child actor in the 1984 movie "Vetri," emphasized the pivotal role directors play in an actor's career.

Chandrasekar noted, “For a movie to be successful, the content should be good. The screenplay should be so good that the film should succeed no matter who the hero is. That is the sign of a good movie." He reminisced about Vijay's landmark film "Thulladha Manamum Thullum" (1999) directed by Ezhil, asserting that it was the screenplay that elevated the actor, not just his star power.

In a  reflection on the current state of cinema, Chandrasekar opined, “Today’s audiences have started watching movies for the sake of the hero. They don’t care about the plot or the screenplay. Because of the hero, the film runs well in theaters, so the directors think they’re big. Don’t get me wrong, I am speaking from my heart. All I mean to say is that if those films had better content, they would do even better.”

Leo, released on October 19, 2023, unfolds a tale of a cafe owner named Parthiban, played by Vijay, whose life takes an unexpected turn, threatening to expose his mysterious past. The film boasts a stellar cast including Trisha, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, and Sandy Master.