Atlee credited CM / actor Vijay with shaping his career, speaking at the Baththa audio launch. After Raja Rani, he said Vijay kept backing him through Theri, Mersal and Bigil. When Shah Rukh Khan pushed him toward Jawan, Atlee recalled SRK telling him not to keep circling at his feet — take the film, life will change. He thanked “Vijay anna” for the runway that made that leap possible.

He added he doesn’t name-drop Vijay hunting for the next chance now that he’s Chief Minister — “but no matter what, our anna will always be our anna.” He also said the next generation’s political awareness owes a lot to Vijay, while urging people to think for themselves.

Atlee presents Baththa (Sethupathi–Lijomol–Balaji Tharaneetharan); worldwide 1 October.