Thunivu, written and directed by H. Vinoth is a heist action film starring Ajith Kumar in the lead, and it is currently in week 2 of its theatrical run. The movie's story follows a gang of criminals, who are out to avenge a bank's CEO, who did them and the common people wrong. Actor Ajith plays the lead "criminal" in this story and off-the bat, his all-white bearded look and the unexpected recreation of Michael Jackson dance moves, is what has been talked about the most with respect to his presence/performance in the film.
Apparently it was an on-the-spot improvisation to incorporate MJ dance moves in said sequences. H. Vinoth had initially written the portions involving the dupe voice recognition scene with a current living famous personality in mind, but the team decided on changing it to Michael Jackson in fear of offending the live person. Ajith as such is a big fan of 80s pop and he was more than happy to recreate the 'King of Pop''s signature moves. He even added the moon-walk steps on his own, albeit under dance master Kalyan's choreography.
#MichaelJackson Moon Walk Scene-க்கு யாரெல்லாம் Fan?#Thunivu #ThunivuReview #Thunivu #ThunivuPongal #NoGutsNoGlory#Ajithkumar #HVinoth@boneykapoor @zeestudios_ @bayviewprojoffl @redgiantmovies_ @kalaignartv_off @netflixindia @sureshchandraa #RomeoPictures @mynameisraahul pic.twitter.com/37slhztKlI
— SS Music (@SSMusicTweet) January 16, 2023
Same was the case with Ajith's look in the movie, which H. Vinoth said kicked off from an image that went viral in February of 2022. While this was the look Ajith had set for the movie, at the Thunivu shooting spot the director felt that it resembled Ajith's look from Viswasam a little too much. But since shooting had already begun, the team was confused what to do. This is when Ajith stepped up to change the look according to what was needed for his daredevil character in Thunivu. Him and the make-up artist then worked and perfected the look that is seen in the movie.
L-R: Viral Ajith Image from Feb 2022, AK 61 Test Shoot Still, Thunivu Still
Another major attraction of Thunivu for the Ajith fans is the 360° fight that was choreographed by stunt master Supereme Sundar. The action choreographer had used this specialized rig-trolley fight in the 2022 Malayalam movie Thallumaala, and the team was all set to shoot the action sequence in a single shot. But the nuanced take required for this single shot 360° fight wasn't getting okayed, and H. Vinoth decided that he'd edit and use the shots.
With gentleman #Ajith sir & my team
— Supreme Sundar (@SupremeSundar_) January 18, 2023
during #Thunivu shoot 💪🏼💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/i9charjz4X
Once again Ajith who along with the stunt crew was exhausted by now, encouraged to shoot the sequence in a single shot. The actor could see the potential response it would elicit from the theater audience and suggested they reenergize, and resume the team's efforts in getting the shot right. The scene was okayed in its 13th take.
That 360 degree fight scene in Thunivu though 🤌. AK went all out for his fans this time. Great charisma, great movie. Climax abit draggy though. Beautiful watch all round.
— Thiiban Raaj (@thiibanraaj) January 14, 2023