Interestingly, this S. Shankar adaptation of 3 Idiots featured Vijay in a lead role with zero romantic track. He was purely philosophical. This was a bold move that proved his fanbase no longer needed a heroine to validate his stardom.
Vijay’s relationship with romance on screen can be divided into three distinct eras:
To understand Vijay’s romantic appeal, one must rewind to the 1990s. Before the "Thalapathy" (Commander) persona emerged, there was the "Ilaya Thalapathy" (Young Commander) with a dimpled smile. His early romantic storylines were quintessential 90s teenage romances—innocent, energetic, and full of longing.
Co-star: Genelia D’Souza
The story: A happy-go-lucky guy loves a serious girl but hides his wealthy background to win her genuinely.
Why it’s iconic: The airport separation scene remains one of Vijay’s most emotional romantic performances. It showed he could cry on screen without losing his “mass” appeal.
