'Vikram' has become the talk of the town. Trade analysts are expecting the Tamil version to gross Rs 100 Cr in its lifetime run. Netizens and cinephiles are already speaking of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe. Lokesh Kanagaraj is the director of the action drama.
The film wouldn't have got this kind of buzz had it not been for Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi, and Fahadh Faasil. The question is, can Tollywood pull off a multi-starrer feat of this sort?
We have had two-hero movies like 'RRR' and 'SVSC'. But what about a 'Vikram'? It would be possible only if more than one or two stars believe in the director's vision that spans across films.
It needs to be recognized that Tollywood doesn't have a Lokesh. Rajamouli can inspire confidence in our stars but he is a top-league filmmaker. Lokesh is a medium-range star director in Kollywood.
Telugu cinema needs stars to think like Kamal Haasan. In the first half of 'Vikram', Kamal is almost a guest character after the opening song. Can a superstar in Telugu accept such a film?
Secondly, do we have a Vijay Sethupathi, who can play a drug lord in one film, a comedic role in a 'KRK', and a nostalgic lover boy in a '96'?
Thirdly, will a Telugu hero allow a non-Telugu actor to occupy primacy for a good chunk of a multi-starrer? Kamal allowed Fahadh Faasil, a Mollywood hero, to do that in 'Vikram'.
It appears that answers to most of the above questions is a 'No'.
