On the occasion of Guru Purnima, the focus turns to teachers, mentors and guides who shape lives through knowledge, compassion and encouragement. In cinema, over the years, Thalapathy Vijay has portrayed several such characters on screen. Vijay is surely one of the bankable stars in Indian cinema, and what makes him special is his swag while performing any kind of characters. So, when he performs a normal mentor or teacher characters, Vijay adds a stylish aura to it, and this makes it unique and fan favourites. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
‘Udhaya’
In one of his early films, ‘Udhaya’ (2004), Vijay played Udhayakumaran, a talented researcher specialising in subatomic physics. Rather than pursuing an overseas opportunity, he accepted a temporary lecturer’s position at his college.Unlike traditional strict professors, Udhayakumaran connected with students through intelligence and patience. His calm teaching style showed his belief that education should encourage curiosity rather than fear.As it was done during his earlier times, we can see a raw and grounded Vijay in ‘Udhaya’, void of any cinematic or stylish features that is often seen in his movies that came later. Although the story later moved into thriller territory, the character’s early interactions as a lecturer highlighted the influence a thoughtful teacher can have on young minds.
‘Nanban’ and ‘Bigil’: Lessons beyond the classroom
Vijay returned to the mentor space in ‘Nanban’ (2012), although not as a formal teacher. Playing Panchavan Parivendan, affectionately known as Pari, he challenged outdated ideas about education and success.The Shankar’s directorial was an official remake of Aamir Khan’s blockbuster ‘3 Idiots’ and Vijay did justice to his role in the movie, by not going over the top, as fans would want him to. Instead of encouraging marks and rankings alone, Pari inspired his friends to follow their passions and think independently.In ‘Nanban’ Vijay acts as a mentor to his friends, rather than a traditional teacher figure. Years later, ‘Bigil’ (2019) presented Vijay in another inspiring role. This time, he portrayed Michael Rayappan, a former footballer who unexpectedly became the coach of the Tamil Nadu women’s football team. ‘Bigil’ can be, in a way, termed as ‘Chak De India’, executed in a more commercial style. Vijay’s Michael aka Bigil did much more than train players for matches. He rebuilt their confidence, encouraged teamwork and helped them overcome social prejudice, family resistance and personal trauma. Also, Vijay’s performance as Bigil’s father Rayappan is surely one of the best in his career.
‘Master’ – The most stylish teacher is here
Now comes the most stylish teacher ever portrayed on screen in Indian cinema, which is none other than JD from Vijay and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s ‘Master’. Among Vijay’s mentor characters, John Durairaj (JD) from ‘Master’ (2021) remains one of his most celebrated performances.JD begins as an unconventional personality development professor whose carefree attitude and alcoholism often overshadow his abilities. Loved by students but frequently questioned by college authorities, he eventually finds himself teaching at a juvenile observation home.The experience transforms him completely. Instead of remaining a reluctant teacher, JD becomes a protector and mentor for troubled youngsters who have fallen under the influence of a dangerous criminal.There is one important sequence in the film where Vijay’s character enters a group of thugs and makes them do as he commands. Lokesh Kanagaraj has indeed presented Thalapathy in the best way possible to satisfy both fans and general audiences.From the first shot till the end, Vijay’s character follows a perfect graph. Vijay Sethupathi plays the villain character in the movie. For many viewers, Master remains Vijay’s most complete portrayal of a teacher who grows alongside the people he mentors.
Why these roles are unique
We have seen many teacher characters played by superstars from Shah Rukh Khan to Mohanlal in Indian cinema. But when it comes to Vijay, there is an aura which is unmatched and can only be created by him. Adding that charm to a mentor or teacher character, the impact can be felt even more strongly. Across ‘Udhaya’, ‘Nanban’, ‘Bigil’ and ‘Master’, Vijay’s characters share several defining qualities.They believe in encouraging people instead of controlling them. They stand beside those facing difficult circumstances and inspire them to become stronger versions of themselves. All of these characters surely help us understand why Thalapathy Vijay is one of the most loved actors in cinema.
