The prospect of a collaboration between superstar Mahesh Babu and acclaimed director Mani Ratnam has long been a coveted dream for fans and the actors themselves. Over the years, the duo expressed mutual admiration and intent to work together on multiple occasions. However, fate intervened, with their most ambitious project, Ponniyin Selvan, remaining unrealized.
Ponniyin Selvan was slated to feature Mahesh Babu in the pivotal role of Arunmozhi Varman, while Vijay would have portrayed another key character. The project reached an advanced stage, with both actors undertaking a photoshoot and finalizing their looks. Unfortunately, the film was shelved due to budgetary constraints and the limitations of visual effects technology at the time.
When Mani Ratnam eventually brought Ponniyin Selvan to fruition years later, with a star-studded cast including Vikram, Karthi, and Jayam Ravi, the film garnered immense attention. While the two-part epic achieved commercial success in Tamil Nadu, it faced challenges in reaching a broader audience, particularly due to its deep-rooted Tamil cultural context and complex narrative.
Despite the film’s mixed reception outside Tamil Nadu, the missed opportunity for Mahesh Babu and Vijay to collaborate with Mani Ratnam remains a subject of intrigue for fans. While the project’s fate remains a chapter in cinematic history, the enduring appeal of this potential collaboration continues to captivate audiences.