[Updated: November 5, 2023] Leo starring actor Vijay in the lead is a gansgter action thriller that released in theaters on October 19, 2023. The Lokesh Kanagaraj directed movie produced by 7 Screen Studio was announced to have collected Rs. 540 Cr+ in 12 days, and on day 14 of the film's theatrical run, the team held a grand success meet at Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai.  

Actor Vijay whose speech is usually an anticipated highlight in events like these, did not disappoint his fans one bit. From addressing controversies that plagued the film before its release, to generously praising team Leo, to course correcting his online fans to addressing the elephant-in-the-room i.e. his political/alleged 'Superstar' ambitions, Vijay had a go at it all.

While the Leo success meet event will be aired on the Sun TV this Sunday (November 5, 2023) at 6: 30 PM, here is the full English transcript of Vijay's speech from the event: 

"Dearest friends of both genders who have a permanent place in my heart.. All these days I thought I was the one who kept you as residents of my heart, but I realize only now that it isn't me but you, who have been keeping me in your hearts. The hearts of my friends from both genders who have been keeping me in their hearts all these days, are temples I live in. Please don't think I'm uttering cinema dialogues as soon as I came (on stage). This is something I've truly realized, felt and said. What am I going to do for all the love you kept on me without any expectations, my friend? What can I do in return friend? Even if I de-skin my body and use it to make slippers for your feet, I will not be able to make up (for all the love you've showered me with). But there is one thing that I can do for you people till the day I die, which is staying true to you all. I can stay true to every penny that you people spend from your hard-earned money. You guys are bloody sweet man, You guys are bloody sweet (title of a theme track from Leo)

 

Also my friend, I've been noticing on social media lately, there’s a lot of anger from you guys, Why? Not required my friend, not required. We need not hurt anyone emotionally. That is not our work either. We have a lot of work to do. Where will a kid go and cry if the dad at home beats him? Think of it like that and leave. Not required friend, anger to this extent is not good for health. A quote from Gandhi ji goes, ‘Non-violence is powerful than violence.' (repeats the same in Tamil). So cool, calm (pause) ok friend?

I'll tell my usual Kutti (short) story and leave. Two guys go for hunting in a forest. A forest that has deer, rabbit, elephants, peacocks, this crows, eagles (laughs without control and leaves mic for a few seconds)** no (laughs) what I meant is (laughs) a forest will have all these (fauna). I said for that (reason) (laughs again). 

** Context: Rajinikanth during Jailer audio launch speech had said a story about crows and eagles, specifically mentioning that it isn't about anyone in particular and that he doesn't want social media to twist it in any way. The moral of the story was to stay above hatred and fly away from instigation, just like an eagle who steadily flies above a crow that is poking from beneath, and flies even higher when the crow doesn't stop poking. Social media interpreted this to be about actor Vijay, and his laugh is meant to be a sarcastic dig on the same.  

 

So these two people are going to the forest for hunting. One of these guys took a bow and arrow and is going for hunting, the other one has taken a spear for hunting. The guy with a bow and arrow killed a rabbit. The guy with the spear took aim at an elephant. But he misses his aim. Now the two are walking back into to the village. One with the rabbit in hand and the other with spear in his hand. But who do you think is the achiever among these two? Who do you think is gethu (Tamil equivalent for cool)? The one who aimed at the elephant and missed, he is the achiever. The reason I am saying this is whatever is easily attainable for us, achieving it is not (real) victory my friend.  Whatever we cannot achieve at all, attaining that, attaining that, this is where you have to pay attention diligently, the attempt that we are making to win the non-attainable, that is what is called real victory. Your aim, your goals - think everything big. Dream big. Think big. No one can say that is wrong. Like (Subramania) Bharati said, 'Ask for the biggest of the biggest'. That’s how your dreams should be, That's how your desires should be, That's how your hardwork/efforts should be. If you travel like that, you will definitely reach whatever your destination is. Each and everyone has a place here friend. No one else can come and fill it. There will be desires, there will be dreams, where is the wrong in this?

 

[Editor's Note: Vijay is likely referencing the criticism that is thrown on the actor that he wants to be the 'next Superstar' here]

 

A small boy at home would take his father’s shirt and wear it out of desire. He will take his father's watch and wear it. He will also jump on his dad’s chair and sit. The shirt will not fit him well and be loosey loose. The watch will not sit on the hand. He wouldn’t know if he could sit on the chair, whether or not he deserves to sit on it. (But) Dad's shirt. (it's his) dad's shirt! It is his dream to become like dad, what is wrong in this? That is why dream big my friend. No one can say anything (critical) about it. 'Small aim is a crime. So always have a great aim' , (APJ Abdul) Kalam sir, Kalam sir said this. Ok friends of both genders?

 

👍🤫

— Regitha Info (@RegithaInfo) November 2, 2023

 

[Naa Ready Song Controversy] Before I go to team Leo, there was this song that released, 2-3 lines (lyrics) from the song created problems. See for example if I have to say, if they are writing ‘Viral idukula thee pandham (torch between the fingers)’,  why do you imagine it is a cigarette? It could be a pen also know? It could be a pen that is powerful enough to rewrite a judgement know? What was the other line? ‘Pathathu bottle naa kudika andala konda' (A bottle is not enough for drinking, bring out a giant vessel). Why do you imagine it to be alcohol? It could be koozh (millet porridge) also know. (laughs) No no what I am saying is I can say such flimsy answer and get away from here. But I don't wish to do that. I plead with all of you to look at cinema as cinema. Please look at cinema as cinema. If you see, cinema is viewed as a form of entertainment all around the world, isn't it? Be it the dialogues that come (in a film) or the scenes, all these are full and full imaginary. Not only that, all this (whatever is shown) is fully artificial is something you people already know. In such few films, there is a good guy and a bad guy. What will you do to differentiate these two? Scenes to fit this narrative, keeping dialogues to fit such narratives is a common practice in screenplay (writing). Some wrong things which are said or thoughts that are expressed via characters like this (pause) See, there is no necessity for me to explain all this and advice you people. I definitely know you people won't follow all that (depictions in movies). Are you people all that immature? This is something I've said before too, take all the good things (from movies), leave the rest.

I am not talking just about feature films. Even if we take day-to-day life, a lot of bad things like this are all around us in vast numbers. So choose only the good. There are a lot of wine shops on the way to schools and colleges. Does that mean our kids go there and have two rounds (of alcohol) before going to schools and colleges? They beautifully pass that (outlets) and go study in their place of studies. They are very clear boss. (They know) what to take, what to leave. Now, these people have so much love on me know? Even if my film is not good, they will be like ‘poda’ (go man) and leave. So they are very shrewd boss. They are of a different league. Different level they all are...

 

...Here I have to thank a few people. Because some of you, sorry most of you, even without me saying anything, you people in your respective areas, without minding your schedules or time, have done a lot according to your respective potential. See other than saying this is a good thing, there are many heart-fulfilling things that you all are doing. Be it for people or those who are struggling.  I am not seeing just in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. I am seeing it in one Kerala. I am seeing it in one Srilanka, Malayasia, Singapore, Canada. Mumbai, Andhra (Pradesh/Telengana), Bangalore. I am watching all this regularly. I would like to share something that I heard in this regard.  

 

You all know AVM Productions. You all know AVM Saravanan sir from there. Once they were travelling by car on the Vadapalani main road, this happened what several years ago. When he was going by car, he saw a struggling lady at the signal and gave her a Rs. 100 note. The lady who received it said, 'Thank you very much. Bless you MGR. Bless you MGR (MG Ramachandran).'. Saravanan Sir was confused by this it seems. This is how it was - Whoever was being generous must be MGR only was the thought back in those days. The name was like that. Please no one take this in a wrong way because I'm comparing and speaking. I am not that big of a person. I'm saying there is no wrong in us taking good things as an inspiration and following it. In that way, I have a tiny desire. In future, wherever good happens (people should think) it is our (Vijay fan club) boys only. I along with you all should earn that name. Ok leave all that. Let's move on to the Leo team. 

 

It is not a big thing that a 20 year old girl becomes a heroine. But it is something when that girl maintains her position as a heroine for 20 years. That too with the same energy, with the same beauty. I'm sure you all know who I'm talking about. Everyone will show hands like this (normal wave), but she alone will show like that (princess wave). I'm sure you all have noticed it. Yes, it is our princess Kundavai. Best wishes Trisha. 

 

And if I have to talk about him, You would have seen a lot of people who've won in life cross hurdles and only then achieve something. But the difficulties this person faced, him crossing it alone is an achievement in itself. He regained the place he lost, went back to being a successful hero, and just so people could take inspiration from his life, he made his own story into a film titled Sanju (Hindi movie) and released it. In that way, Sanjay Dutt joining our film is a matter of pride for Leo (team) Sir.  

 

Same with our 'Action King' Arjun Sir. Arjun Sir when he was fighting (doing action scenes) during Gentleman (1993), Sevagan (1992), Prathap (1990) time or when he does fight scenes with actors like us today, Sir has always been the action king (Arjun's moniker). First of all I had a big doubt if he would accept (the role) and do it. But I'm very happy that you did the role Sir. At the (Leo) shooting spot, he would say the things that happened in Jai Hind (1994) movie, the counters and comedies that took place with Goundamani Sir on sets. That in itself was a big time pass. Sir a dinner is pending. You, me, (director) Lokesh (Kanagaraj), Goundamani Sir. Don't forget sir. (laughs).  

 

If you take the audience, there are people who separate song, fight, comedy and enjoy the performance individually. But there is a big crowd out there who watches movies only for the directors. In that sense Mr. Mysskin and Mr. Gautham Vasudev Menon have attained an important place. I've been accustomed to Mr. Mysskin ever since Youth (2002) days. I am talking about Youth the movie. Need not mistake it. Similarly Gautham Sir, if there is a movie with an aesthetic fight and an action-filled romance, then it definitely would be his movie. Generally everybody takes it in the reverse, fights will be full of action. Love will be mellow. But all his love (stories) you see will be action-filled. He will take fights very beautifully. This is what I've noticed Sir. I haven't watched your movies continuously. You are killing it. I wish you the best for your acting journey Sir. Be it your voice, be it your eyes (laughs) - Super Sir. 

 

Similarly I have to talk about the production team (7 Screen Studios) for sure. Even in minus degree temperatures, just because our work shouldn't get affected, they gave us everything from food to medicines to tablets and looked after us like a mother. To them, my special special thanks.  

 

And yes, he made heads turn with Maanagaram (2017). He made us repeatedly watch Kaithi (2019). He made India take notice of Master (2021), Vikram (2022). Now with Leo (2023) (laughs) What say? I guess only Hollywood is left to take notice. Did it (Hollywood) take notice (of Leo)?* It will, it will, soon it will take notice. I'm so happy for you man (Lokesh Kanagaraj). I'm so so happy for you. Keep rocking. [Lokesh stands up and says thank you with folded hands]. [To this Vijay says] All this won't suit you Lokesh. I have told you this before also. This doesn't set you at all. Thank you. Thank you. 

 

*Context: leo-vijay-eras-tour-taylor-swift-killers-of-the-flower-moon 

 

Similarly producer Lalit (Kumar of 7 Screen Studios). He is indeed a good friend of mine beyond cinema. An example of how much he loves cinema is the Master (2021 Vijay, Lokesh Kanagaraj movie that Lalit had distributed) movie release time. I don't think that entire team will ever forget that (experience) in their lifetime. Including me because we all went through a lot. During that time, it was a new kind (pandemic) of problem (we faced). Not knowing how to handle, we were somewhat blank. If it was some other issue, we would have had references. We would have thought 'ok, we can handle it this way, we can sort it out this way'.  But this wasn't like that. At that time just because I has asked him (Lalit Kumar) for one thing (to release Master in theaters first instead of directly on OTT), not even thinking about the profits he could have earned, just to see theater owners happy, he waited for almost a year, he released the movie (Master) in theaters. If we have to think if someone else in that place would have done the same, a small question mark pops up there (meaning Vijay is doubtful). Which is why I am saying, for his decision making and his guts, hats off to you Lalit. 

[Superstar title controversy]...I came here to tell this on this stage. I have told this many times, but I want to clear the air once again. Of all the stars that Tamil cinema has given us, there’s only one Puratchi Thalaivar (MG Ramachandran), there’s only one Nadigar Thilagam (Sivaji Ganesan), there’s only one Captain (Vijayakanth), there’s only one Ulaganayagan (Kamal Haasan), there’s only one Superstar (Rajinikanth). Likewise there is only one Thala (Ajith Kumar). You know Thalapathy (Vijay's moniker) are soldiers taking orders from the Kings. Kings will order, and the Thalapathy will accomplish the task. As far as I am concerned, you all are Kings and I am your Thalapathy. I am a Thalapathy at your service.”