Why Thalapathy Vijay Was Called Chuha | From Failure to Superstar

Why Thalapathy Vijay was once called “Chuha”? Read the untold struggle, early film failures, comeback story, and why he quit cinema after 69 films.

1/5/20264 min read

Today, Thalapathy Vijay is one of the most powerful names in Indian cinema.
A mass superstar, a cultural icon, and a personality whose influence goes far beyond movies.

But very few people know how painful and humiliating his early journey was.

Before the stardom, Vijay faced continuous failures, harsh media criticism, and a cruel label“Chuha.”

This blog explains exactly what we show in our video — from Vijay’s zero phase, his first film failures, how he rebuilt himself movie by movie, and finally why he left the film industry after completing 69 films, even when he was at his peak.

Thalapathy vijay
Thalapathy vijay

Vijay entered Tamil cinema with expectations — but not acceptance.

Despite having a film background, critics and media quickly tagged him as:

  • “Just another nepo product”

  • “No hero material”

  • “Limited acting range”

His early films failed at the box office.

Instead of constructive criticism, some media outlets crossed personal limits and mocked his appearance and screen presence. That’s when the word “Chuha” (rat) started circulating — suggesting that Vijay was insignificant and had no future in the industry.

At that time, many believed his career was already finished.

untold stroy of vijay
untold stroy of vijay

For most actors, repeated failures mean the end.

For Vijay, it became the beginning.

Instead of reacting publicly, he chose silence:

  • No interviews

  • No debates

  • No emotional statements

For nearly 10 years, Vijay avoided the media completely.

People thought he had no answers.

In reality, he was working silently on himself.

The Turning Point

Vijay’s biggest transformation was not physical — it was mental.

He stopped trying to impress critics and started focusing on:

  • Youth emotions

  • Family audiences

  • Middle-class struggles

  • Social messages blended with entertainment

Slowly, his films started connecting deeply with the common man.

Theatres filled again.
Fans stood up for him.
And the same media that mocked him… became quiet.

This was the moment “Thalapathy” was born.

Vijay didn’t become a superstar overnight.

He earned it one film at a time:

  • Improved performances

  • Powerful dialogue delivery

  • Strong screen presence

  • Scripts with high repeat value

By the time he completed 30–40 films, Vijay had:

  • Massive opening collections

  • Unmatched youth following

  • One of the strongest fan bases in Tamil cinema

The “Chuha” label completely disappeared.

vijay thalapthy untold story of Chuha
vijay thalapthy untold story of Chuha

As Vijay’s popularity grew, resistance followed.

Some of his films faced:

  • Political pressure

  • Temporary bans

  • Release controversies

But instead of harming him, these controversies:

  • Increased public sympathy

  • Strengthened fan unity

  • Expanded his influence

Vijay was no longer just an actor — he was becoming a mass leader-like figure.

After completing 69 films, Vijay stood at a rare peak:

  • Box office dominance

  • Massive fan loyalty

  • No signs of decline

And then he made a shocking decision.

He chose to step away from cinema.

Not because he failed —
but because he had outgrown the film industry.

🎥 Watch the Full Video 👉 https://youtu.be/9cPwTBLomBk

FAQs

1. Why was Thalapathy Vijay called “Chuha”?

In the early phase of his career, after multiple film failures, some media outlets mocked Thalapathy Vijay by calling him “Chuha” (rat). The term was used to belittle his looks, screen presence, and future potential. This remark later became one of the most controversial chapters of his struggle story.

2. Was the “Chuha” remark officially written by the media?

The “Chuha” label did not come from a single official headline but emerged from harsh media commentary, gossip columns, and industry criticism during Vijay’s early failures. Fans later highlighted this insult as an example of media bias against him.

3. Which was Thalapathy Vijay’s first film and why did he fail initially?

Thalapathy Vijay’s early films failed mainly due to weak scripts, poor execution, and extremely high expectations placed on him as a star kid. Critics judged him harshly from the beginning, giving him little room to grow as an actor.

4. How did Thalapathy Vijay make his comeback after failures?

Instead of reacting to criticism, Vijay chose silence. He avoided media interactions for years and focused on improving his performances, selecting audience-centric scripts, and building a strong emotional connection with the common man. This slow and steady approach led to his powerful comeback.

5. How many films did Thalapathy Vijay do before leaving cinema?

Thalapathy Vijay completed 69 films before deciding to step away from the film industry. By that time, he had already achieved unmatched box-office success and a massive fan following.

6. Why did Thalapathy Vijay leave the film industry after 69 films?

Vijay did not leave cinema due to failure. He exited at his peak because his influence had grown beyond movies. His strong fan base, social impact, and political relevance made him realize that real power lies outside the film industry.

7. Is Thalapathy Vijay entering politics?

While Vijay has not followed a traditional political path like other actors, his actions, speeches, and public influence strongly indicate a political transition. Many believe his move away from cinema was preparation for a larger role in Tamil Nadu’s future.

8. Why is Thalapathy Vijay’s struggle story so inspiring?

Vijay’s journey is inspiring because it proves that:

  • Media labels don’t decide destiny

  • Early failures don’t define the future

  • Silence and consistency can defeat humiliation

From being mocked as “Chuha” to becoming a mass phenomenon, his story motivates millions.