The internet was abuzz this weekend as the trailer for Vijay’s highly anticipated film, “The Greatest Of All Time” (GOAT), directed by Venkat Prabhu, made its debut on Saturday. Fans have been fervently sharing their theories and reactions since the trailer’s release, but what also captured widespread attention were Venkat Prabhu’s sharp and humorous responses during the film’s trailer launch event.
Known for his quick wit and engaging demeanor, director Venkat Prabhu took center stage, responding to a variety of questions ranging from Vijay’s potential political career to comparisons with Hollywood film “Gemini Man,” the usage of de-aging technology, and references to Ajith Kumar’s film “Mankatha.” His casual yet confident manner made quite the impression, and clips from the event quickly went viral on social media platforms.
During the event, Venkat expressed his gratitude towards the producers and technical crew who made the film possible, also addressing the mixed reviews that Yuvan Shankar Raja’s musical contributions have garnered. “I understand that the reception has been varied,” Venkat stated, “but I am confident that once the film is out, the songs will offer a visual spectacle that audiences will appreciate.”
The trailer has set high expectations, particularly with its revelation of Vijay appearing in dual roles, one of which involves a younger character created using de-aging technology. There are even hints that a third character could be part of the plot. However, the de-aging effects, especially as seen in the lyric video for the song “Spark,” have been met with some skepticism.
When asked about the de-aging process, Venkat elaborated, stating, “We intended to portray the second character as a 22 to 23-year-old version of Vijay. It was a collaborative desire for the character to resemble Vijay as closely as possible. Given how recognizable his face is, radical changes were challenging for some to accept. After the feedback from the ‘Spark’ video, we learned not to push the boundaries too far. We adjusted the de-aging effects accordingly, which also contributed to the delay of the trailer release. What you see in the trailer is the most refined version that will be presented in theaters.”
One of the hot topics addressed was the theory that GOAT was inspired by Will Smith’s 2019 film “Gemini Man,” which also used de-aging technology for the lead character. Venkat dismissed these claims as unfair comparisons. “Just because both films use the same technology to de-age the protagonist doesn’t mean they share the same storyline. By that logic, my earlier film ‘Chennai 28 II,’ where a groom goes missing before his wedding, would be akin to ‘Hangover.’ But that’s clearly not the case,” Venkat remarked.
The questions didn’t stop there; the conversation veered into political territory as well.
. Earlier this year, while filming GOAT, Vijay announced the establishment of his political party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam, and his intention to contest in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Venkat shut down speculation that Vijay had infused political messages into the film. “Vijay sir never meddles with the narrative of a film. He regards a film as a purely cinematic endeavor, separate from politics. GOAT is a straightforward commercial film,” Venkat clarified.
Moreover, Vijay has revealed that his next project, tentatively titled Thalapathy 69 and directed by H Vinoth, will be his final film before diving into full-time politics. Addressing this news, Venkat heartily expressed his hope that Vijay would continue his acting career. “As a fan, I wished for him to remain in films. He simply smiled and said, ‘let’s see,’” shared Venkat.
Venkat Prabhu, acclaimed for directing Ajith Kumar’s blockbuster “Mankatha,” now joins the elite group of directors who’ve worked with both iconic actors Vijay and Ajith Kumar. Interestingly, the GOAT trailer includes a line from Mankatha, which Venkat says wasn’t meant to please any specific group of fans. “It’s not an Ajith line. It’s a Venkat Prabhu line. I made both of them say it, that’s all,” he explained. Venkat also noted that Ajith had seen the trailer and offered his congratulations to Vijay and the team.
Discussing the possibility of an audio launch for the film, Venkat mentioned that the decision rested with Vijay and that they would make an official announcement in due course.
GOAT boasts an impressive cast, featuring Meenakshi Chaudhary, Sneha, Laila, Ajmal Ameer, and Vaibhav among others. Produced by Kalpathi S Aghoram’s AGS Entertainment, the film is slated for release on September 5, 2024, coinciding with the Vinayaka Chaturthi festival. The anticipation surrounding this movie is palpable, and fans are eagerly counting down the days to its release.
In summary, the GOAT trailer launch event has ignited a wave of excitement and curiosity. With every revelation and response, Venkat Prabhu has managed to keep the interest alive as audiences await what promises to be a cinematic spectacle full of visual and narrative treat.
