Atlee is known for his engaging screenplay, especially in the action genre and his hits with the current CM Vijay, namely, Theri, Mersal and Bigil has established his name and fame across the country. This grew massively following the success of Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan. However, despite scoring back-to-back wins at the box office with his actioners, the director reveals holding a regret on not being able to make a romantic film after his debut movie Raja Rani (2013).
Speaking at the pre-release event of Atharvaa's Idhayam Murali, Atlee hailed producer-turned-director Aakash Baskaran of Dawn Pictures calling him his own "brother". "I can never say no to him as he has helped me in so many ways. He is young, but very responsible. For a long time, he wanted to make a film and I offered to produce it for him, but I'm not sure what happened, he backed it himself. He showed me the film after it got complete. I liked it very much," he said.
Atlee then said he has a small feeling of 'regret' on not making a love story after Raja Rani. "Wherever I go, people recognise me via that film. Then, because of Thalapathy (Vijay), Theri, Mersal and Bigil came into being. So there is always a yearning inside my heart that we couldn't do a love film and that is why I asked him (Aakash) if I can back the project. This is almost Aakash's biopic. Whoever knows him, will know that fact. Think of Fahadh Faasil's character as me," he further shared.
Raja Rani starred Arya, Nayanthara, Nazriya and Jai in leading roles. It follows Arya and Nayanthara's characters, who are reluctantly married, and slowly falling in love after learning of each other's past. The film was a commercial success and earned many awards. It was also remade in Bengali and Sinhala.
Meanwhile, Idhayam Murali film tells a story of one-sided love. The latest trailer for it hints at a storyline where Atharvaa's character, Idhaya, goes in search of her lover, played by Preity Mukhundhan, in a foreign land after facing rejection from her when at school. The film also stars Natty, composer Thaman S himself, Niharika NM, Sudhakar of Parithabangal fame, Yashashree Rao, singer Jonita Gandhi, and Anju Kurian, among others. It is slated for a July 10 release.