When 18 year old debutant Vijay received flak for his first lead role in Naalaya Theerpu (1992), his filmmaker father SA Chandrasekhar (SAC) had strategically cast him alongside a star power like Vijayakanth in his second movie i.e. Senthoorapandi (1993). SAC and Vijayakanth were frequent collaborators at that time, and Vijayakanth did Senthoorapandi as a favour by not charging any money.

"Mr. Vijayakanth has been a big hero then and now. My father did a movie with him (Senthoorapandi) and made me act as his younger brother. So the audience that was coming to watch Vijaykanth Sir, was getting an introduction of me through that film. This is why the film was made. The movie went on to become a success. We got what we had desired." - Vijay in 1998

 

Post Vijaykanth's demise in December 2023, Vijay and his director Venkat Prabhu approached Premalatha Vijayakanth for permission to bring back the actor through Artificial Intelligence (AI) in The Greatest of All Time (The GOAT). Vijayakanth's surviving wife, and the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) president had said at that time, 

"Director Venkat Prabhu visited our house 4-5 times and had several rounds of talks with my son, Shanmugapandian. He also requested that he meet me. I recently went to Chennai for the election campaign, and we met regarding the same. He explained that they wanted to bring back Captain Vijayakanth alive in a scene in ‘GOAT’. They sought our permission.

 

I thought of what Captain would have said had he been with us. It was Captain who introduced Vijay in Senthoorapandi, and Captain had huge respect and great love for both Vijay and his father SA Chandrasekhar. That is why even when there were so many directors to work with, he chose to do 17 films with SA Chandrasekhar.

 

If Captain (Vijayakanth) was alive, he would definitely agree for such a request..I also know (director) Venkat (Prabhu) since he was a child..(Actor) Vijay has said that he will meet me when the (2024 Indian General) elections are over, and I have promised to share good news with them about this”

 

Post the release of The Greatest of All Time trailer on August 17, 2024, director Venkat Prabhu confirmed that the film would honour Vijayakanth's legacy via the AI cameo. And ahead of The Greatest of All Time's release on September 5, Vijay, Venkat Prabhu and The GOAT's producer Archana Kalpathi of AGS Entertainment, called on Premalatha Vijayakanth to seek 'Captain's blessings'. 

With all the blessings of our #Captain 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 #TheGreatestOfAllTime‌ pic.twitter.com/rEZsbwUrTW

— venkat prabhu (@vp_offl) August 19, 2024

சற்று முன் நடிகர் விஜய், சாலிகிராமத்தில் உள்ள இல்லத்தில் மரியாதை நிமித்தமாக என்னை நேரில் சந்தித்தார்!@actorvijay@vp_offl@archanakalpathi#PremalathaVijayakanth #actorvijay pic.twitter.com/9NQW2lzj5U

— Premallatha Vijayakant (@PremallathaDmdk) August 19, 2024

On Sunday, marking Vijayakanth's 72nd birth anniversary, AGS Entertainment unveiled a special wish from The Greatest of All Time team. While the exact details of Vijayakanth's AI cameo are unknown, the glimpse of a de-aged teen Vijay in The GOAT trailer has raised expectations among Vijay, Vijayakanth's fans. 

L: Vijayakanth, Vijay in Senthoorapandi (1993) R: de-aged Vijay in The Greatest of All Time (2024)

We wish you were here with us! Happy birthday to the captain of our hearts! pic.twitter.com/2WlxreSuiq

— AGS Entertainment (@Ags_production) August 25, 2024