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Despite concerns that a failure could hurt his reputation, the film turned out to be a massive success, eventually earning over Rs 1,000 crore — a box office achievement previously unmatched
Fans were stunned when news broke that Atlee, who had primarily worked in Kollywood, would direct Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in his next project. (News18 Tamil)
For many regional film directors, making a film in Bollywood is a dream, as it represents the next step in a director’s career. In this regard, directing only three films and then collaborating with Shahrukh Khan, one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, is an impressive achievement.
Atlee, known for his confidence and humility, would jokingly say, “Yes, I only make coffee. But I can make it a hit; that’s my talent.” With numerous blockbuster moments to his name, Atlee has undoubtedly become a pride of Tamil cinema.
Atlee has effectively honed many techniques he learned from his time as an assistant to director Shankar, all while maintaining a low profile. His rise to fame is a testament to his hard work and dedication, especially during his early years.
Born Arun Kumar, Atlee entered the film industry at 25, working as an assistant director under Shankar until Enthiran. His directorial debut came with Raja Rani, which became a hit.
In 2014, Atlee married his long-time girlfriend Priya, and soon after, he pursued his lifelong dream of working with Vijay. This led to the blockbuster Theri, marking the beginning of their successful collaboration. Atlee’s partnership with Vijay continued with Mersal, a huge hit, and later Bigil, which grossed over Rs 300 crore, making it Vijay’s biggest box office success. Their alliance became a celebrated hat-trick.
Facing criticism for not working with other actors, Atlee confidently responded that he would make a film for his ‘brother’.
Fans were stunned when news broke that Atlee, who had primarily worked in Kollywood, would direct Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in his next project. This move was a significant milestone in Atlee’s career. Having directed only four hits in Kollywood, the opportunity to work with such a major Bollywood star was a massive leap. Many saw this as a sign that Atlee had surpassed his mentor, Shankar, though Atlee has always respected his guru.
Atlee’s Bollywood debut with Shah Rukh Khan in the movie Jawan was met with much anticipation. Despite concerns that a failure could hurt his reputation, the film turned out to be a massive success, eventually earning over Rs 1,000 crore — a box office achievement previously unmatched.
Since then, Atlee’s status as a renowned director in Bollywood has only grown, with his demand continuing to rise. Today, his salary is reportedly Rs 60 crore. Atlee’s Tamil film Theri was recently remade in Hindi and released as Baby John, starring Varun Dhawan.
- Location :
Tamil Nadu, India, India