Why Jyothika Rejected Thalapathy Vijay-starrer 2017 Film Mersal

Jyothika is one of the leading actresses in Tamil cinema and has also made notable appearances in Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi films. Jyothika’s hit filmography comprises the films Ponmagal Vandhal, Udanpirappe and others. She was also roped in by the makers of the 2017 hit film Mersal but she opted out due to undisclosed reasons.

In an earlier interview with a portal, Jyothika specified the reason behind opting out of the film. The actress said that when Mersal’s director Atlee told her the story, she didn’t agree with the storyline and her character. This role was eventually offered to Nithya Menen who played it with perfection. Thalapathy Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kajal Aggarwal, Vadivelu, and others also acted in Mersal backed by Sri Thenandal Films and Goldmines Telefilms.

Vijay and Jyothika have acted in the film Thirumalai directed by Ramana. The film was a hit at the box office and is currently streaming on MX Player and Amazon Prime. Avinash, Manoj K Jayan, Raghuvaran and others also acted in Thirumalai. They also acted in the film Kushi which also turned out to be a success at the theatres.

Throughout her illustrious career spanning more than two decades, Jyothika has been part of major hits such as Tagore, Dumm Dumm Dumm, Chandramukhi, and Mozhi. With a massive fan base, she has collaborated with stalwarts including Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth and Suriya. This has solidified her status as a prominent figure in the South Indian film industry.

She last acted in the film Kaathal- The Core which received accolades from the critics and audience. In an interview with the Film Companion, Jyothika praised her colleague and the film’s male lead Mammootty. Jyothika expressed that, among the South Indian superstars she has worked with, Mammootty stands out as a “real hero”.

Remembering an initial conversation, Jyothika shared Mammootty’s viewpoint on heroism. Mammootty emphasised that being a hero involves exploring diverse roles and fully immersing oneself in portraying various characters. In their film Kaathal- The Core, Mammootty portrayed Mathew Devassy, a homosexual man navigating his journey towards self-acceptance. Jeo Baby-directed Kaathal is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.