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Revisiting Vaali: A nostalgic look back at Ajith's impressive double-role debut - 20 lesser-known facts

As the blockbuster film completes 21 years, we give you some interesting trivia on its making.
As the blockbuster film completes 21 years, we give you some interesting trivia on its making.
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Valee was Ajith's 23rd film. His 24th and 25th films were Anandha Poongatrey and Amarkalam, all three in the same year, 1999.
Valee was Ajith's 23rd film. His 24th and 25th films were Anandha Poongatrey and Amarkalam, all three in the same year, 1999.
SJ Suryah made his directorial debut with Vaali.
SJ Suryah made his directorial debut with Vaali.
SJ Suryah was assisting director Vasanth in Aasai, which had Ajith in lead role.
SJ Suryah was assisting director Vasanth in Aasai, which had Ajith in lead role.
Ajith apparently approached SJ Suryah to prepare a good script and promised that he would give him a chance to make his directorial debut.
Ajith apparently approached SJ Suryah to prepare a good script and promised that he would give him a chance to make his directorial debut.
Vaali was Ajith’s first film which featured him in a dual role.
Vaali was Ajith’s first film which featured him in a dual role.
Talking about this in an interview, Ajith said that he received a lot of bad publicity during the initial stages of production.
Talking about this in an interview, Ajith said that he received a lot of bad publicity during the initial stages of production.
“People said it was too early for Ajith to do a double role and the film would never get released. There was a lot of skepticism,” quoted Ajith in an interview t
“People said it was too early for Ajith to do a double role and the film would never get released. There was a lot of skepticism,” quoted Ajith in an interview t
Vaali, which ran for over 100 days, was a huge blockbuster for Ajith, after a series of five flops.
Vaali, which ran for over 100 days, was a huge blockbuster for Ajith, after a series of five flops.
Simran’s character in the movie was first offered to Keerthi Reddy and Roja. Notably, the movie was announced in 1997 with Keerthi Reddy playing the female lead.
Simran’s character in the movie was first offered to Keerthi Reddy and Roja. Notably, the movie was announced in 1997 with Keerthi Reddy playing the female lead.
Jyotika, who had debuted in Bollywood a year back in 1998, made her Tamil debut with Vaali. She essayed the role of Ajith’s imaginary girlfriend.
Jyotika, who had debuted in Bollywood a year back in 1998, made her Tamil debut with Vaali. She essayed the role of Ajith’s imaginary girlfriend.
Though Jyotika had very less screentime in the movie, Vaali‘s success catapulted her to instant stardom.
Though Jyotika had very less screentime in the movie, Vaali‘s success catapulted her to instant stardom.
Interestingly, after Vaali, Jyotika and Simran shared screen space only in one another film, 12 B, in 2001.
Interestingly, after Vaali, Jyotika and Simran shared screen space only in one another film, 12 B, in 2001.
Vaali was censored with an 'A’ certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Vaali was censored with an 'A’ certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Vaali was released just a day before Ajith’s birthday, which falls on May 1.
Vaali was released just a day before Ajith’s birthday, which falls on May 1.
Vaali was later dubbed into Telugu and Hindi with the same name.
Vaali was later dubbed into Telugu and Hindi with the same name.
Deva's hugely-successful soundtrack for the film had lyrics by Vairamuthu.
Deva's hugely-successful soundtrack for the film had lyrics by Vairamuthu.
The song 'Sona Sona' is based on 'Susanna' by VOF de Kunst, and 'Where Do I Begin?', the theme to Love Story composed by Francis Lai.
The song 'Sona Sona' is based on 'Susanna' by VOF de Kunst, and 'Where Do I Begin?', the theme to Love Story composed by Francis Lai.
Ajith Kumar is credited as 'Ajith' in Vaali.
Ajith Kumar is credited as 'Ajith' in Vaali.
The film was remade in Kannada as Vaalee in 2001 by S. Mahendar starring Sudeep in the lead role.
The film was remade in Kannada as Vaalee in 2001 by S. Mahendar starring Sudeep in the lead role.
In 2005, the movie was remade in Hindi as well. Titled Sheesha, the Hindi remake had a role reversal. The heroine’s character, played by Neha Dhupia, appears in dual roles.
In 2005, the movie was remade in Hindi as well. Titled Sheesha, the Hindi remake had a role reversal. The heroine’s character, played by Neha Dhupia, appears in dual roles.
Here are a few more memorable snapshots from Vaali....
Here are a few more memorable snapshots from Vaali....
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