Not Vijay but THIS Tamil actor was the original ‘Ilaya Thalapathy’ long before 'Mersal' star; all about Salem event
etimes.in / May 17, 2026, 12:53 (IST)
While Vijay is globally recognized as 'Thalapathy,' the title's origin traces back to actor Saravanan, who was reportedly the original 'Ilaya Thalapathy' in the 1990s. Saravanan gracefully ceded the title as Vijay's popularity grew, allowing it to become synonymous with the star. Saravanan continues his acting career in supporting roles.