With ‘Jana Nayagan’ finally hitting the theatres, the ‘Bandar’ actor Bobby Deol has opened up about her experience of sharing screen space with Vijay. The film marks a major milestone in Vijay’s career as it is widely considered to be his last outing as an actor before he fully focuses on his political responsibilities as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.In a recent interview, Bobby opened up about Vijay’s personality. Despite the Tamil superstar’s huge popularity, Bobby said what impressed him the most was Vijay’s calm and grounded nature. According to the actor, his co-star preferred to keep a low profile and remained reserved throughout the shoot. Describing Vijay, Bobby in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter said, “a very simple man, very quiet, very much to himself,” adding that it was remarkable to see someone of such immense stardom remain so humble and composed.
Bobby Deol believes that Vijay’s popularity influenced the filming process
Bobby also spoke about the practical challenges of shooting with one of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars. He revealed that a considerable portion of ‘Jana Nayagan’ was shot on specially constructed sets instead of public places because Vijay’s presence would attract huge crowds. Explaining the situation, Bobby said: “It’s a fact. There won’t be any work if you take it out on the street. It’s that big.” He also revealed that the language occasionally became a challenge during the shoot as he was not familiar with Tamil. However, Bobby said that director H. Vinoth ensured that communication remained smooth by explaining scenes and discussions whenever necessary. As a result, the filming process continued without major obstacles despite the language barrier.
Reflects on South Indian film fan culture
Having previously worked in Telugu cinema through ‘Daaku Maharaaj’, Bobby said he has witnessed first-hand the extraordinary devotion that South Indian audiences have towards their favorite stars. According to him, the bond between actors and fans is unlike anything he has experienced elsewhere. Speaking of the regional film industries, he remarked, “that’s where the actors come from.” He further added, “It’s amazing how united they are for the film industry.Recalling his experience during the Celebrity Cricket League, Bobby recalled seeing stadiums full of fans arriving in buses to cheer on their favorite actors, including Mohanlal. He believes this kind of collective support highlights the strong emotional connection audiences share with South Indian cinema.
Share a memorable conversation with Vijay
Bobby also recalled one of his brief interactions with Vijay during the making of ‘Jana Nayagan’. Although the two actors didn’t spend much time together, one conversation stuck with him. He shared, “One day he told me that he had done a remake of one of my films. I think it was Soldier (‘Villu’).”
Vijay attends a private screening before the premiere
A few hours before the release of ‘Jana Nayagan’ in theatres, Vijay watched the film at a special screening held at the Tagore Film Center in Adyar, Chennai. According to reports, members of the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, senior government officials and police personnel attended the private show along with the Chief Minister. Directed by H. Vinoth, ‘Jana Nayagan’ also stars Pooja Hegde, Mamitha Baiju, Prakash Raj, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Narain and Bobby Deol in important roles.