Lal Salaam actor and Vijay’s cousin Vikranth: ‘Directors approached me for Anna’s popularity but I turned down all’

Actor Vikranth, cousin of Vijay, made his debut as a hero in the latter’s father SA Chandrasekhar’s Karkka Kasadara (2005). The actor turned a lot of heads as he looked a bit similar to Vijay. He also played tribute to his elder brother in his films, but in later days, he stopped using Vijay’s stardom to further his reach. As Vikranth is now gearing up for the release of his upcoming film, Lal Salaam, which has superstar Rajinikanth in a cameo, he has opened up about how many directors approached him just to use the fame of Vijay and promote the films.

Speaking to a Tamil media channel, the actor said that he turned down many offers in his career because most of the directors wanted to rope him as he was the cousin of Vijay. The actor said that such filmmakers wanted to exploit the fame of Vijay and get him to play a cameo in the film or promote it. However, Vikranth turned down such offers as he didn’t want to use his brother in that way.

Vikranth also spoke about working with Rajinikanth in Lal Salaam. “He told me something that has stuck with me forever. He shared what his mentor K Balachander Sir told him: ‘There are many who can just do what I say. But I want to know what Rajinikanth can do to the scene.’ Rajini Sir is still following that. He is working as if he had gotten into the film industry only five years ago and wants to prove himself. He is on another level.” Rajinikanth has also appreciated Vikranth for his work in Lal Salaam, and called him a good performer.

Vikranth is playing a local cricketer in Lal Salaam, directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth. The film, produced by Lyca Productions, has music by AR Rahman. Other than Vikranth, it stars Vishnu Vishal in the lead role.