RJ Balaji recalls trolling Atlee’s Raja Rani and praises his evolution as a director

Director RJ Balaji is awaiting the release of Karuppu, his film with Suriya and Trisha, among others. With Karuppu being slated for a May 14 release in theatres, Balaji is busy giving promotional interviews. In some of these conversations, he reminisced about his past days as a radio jockey and as a film reviewer.

Speaking to Galatta Plus, RJ Balaji spoke highly of Atlee’s gradual evolution as a director. The actor-filmmaker admitted that he once made fun of Atlee’s Raja Rani. “The Atlee I saw back then and the one I am seeing now, after I entered filmmaking, is quite inspiring,” he said. The Karuppu director commended Atlee’s decision to hire GK Vishnu as a cinematographer for a Vijay film (Mersal), notwithstanding his lack of experience wielding the camera.

“The confidence that man has to select one newcomer for a Vijay sir film is extraordinary,” Balaji said about Atlee and GK Vishnu. The actor-filmmaker also commended Atlee for his direction of Jawan, the latter’s 2023 film with Shah Rukh Khan and Nayanthara, among others.