Was Varun Dhawan the right fit for Theri Remake?

Baby John, produced by Atlee, was a remake of Actor Vijay's blockbuster hit Theri. Released in 2016, Theri was a milestone film in Vijay's career as it was the perfect blend of all blockbuster elements.

Though the movie carved a niche for itself in Kollwood, the movie marked Vijay's humble entry into the Pan-Indian film fraternity. Theri's dubbed version was watched extensively on OTT and it was the same time Shahrukh Khan's eyes fell on the young director who was moulding Vijay's career.

Atlee went on to direct Jawan for Red Chillies Production starring Shahrukh Khan and Nayanthara which was Shahrukh Khan's entry into the 1,000 Crore Club. Varun Dhawan being a ardent follower of South Indian Cinema might have made his first move to be casted in Atlee's next.

Varun Dhawan was predominantly seen in Rom-Coms over the last decade and Baby John was his first official entry into mass commercial film category. Though it gave a new flavour to his screen presence, clearly the audience needed some more time to process his climb up the Action Film ladder.

This was too quick a jump from his breezy screen aura to a bloodthirsty ex-cop and a protective father figure.

As much as casting a senior actor like Akshay Kumar or Ajay Devgan might have made it mainstream, Varun Dhawan was a fledgling with wings that can barely flutter, to shoulder a magnum opus of a film like Theri.

Atlee's statement at a pre-relessee promotional event is making the rounds now.

Baby John will do to Varun what Animal did to Ranbir Kapoor's Stardom

The statements are similar to that of Kanguva where K.E.Gnananavel Raja from Studio Green Productions over hyped the film to the moon which led to its ultimate demise in the box office.

This is a lesson for all Film Makers to follow the golden route of allowing your content to blossom organically over making intimidating statements to cause a PR stir even before the movie touches the silver screens.