Did Vijay tease Ajith through the 'Gundu Mangaa' song in 'Sachein'? Here's what director John Mahendran said

In the world of Tamil cinema, after the legendary Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, it is Ajith and Vijay who have emerged as the most bankable stars. These two actors have become cultural icons, with a fan following that spans not just across India but globally. While both have earned immense respect for their craft, their fans often engage in heated debates online, with constant comparisons and rivalries. Despite this, both actors share a cordial relationship in real life and have expressed mutual respect on several occasions.
‘Gundu Maanga’ vs. ‘Attagasam’
Over the years, their professional rivalry has been the subject of much discussion. Fans often dig deep into their films, looking for subtle references or digs directed at one another. A popular belief among fans is that Vijay and Ajith have exchanged indirect jabs through songs or dialogues. This theory is particularly strong when it comes to Vijay’s 2005 film 'Sachein' and Ajith’s 'Attagasam,' where both actors appeared in similar traditional looks in their respective songs. Fans have long believed that Vijay's 'Gundu Maanga' song from 'Sachein,' where he wears a veshti-sattai, was a playful response to Ajith’s look in 'Attagasam.'
Director John Mahendran clears the air on the veshti look.
However, director John Mahendran, who helmed 'Sachein,' put those rumors to rest. In an interview with Behindwoods in 2020, he clarified that Vijay’s veshti-sattai getup in the song was simply intended to bring variety to the film's visuals. He explained that Vijay maintained a consistent look throughout the movie, and the traditional outfit was used only to create a visual shift for the song sequence. It was not, as many fans believed, a response to Ajith’s look in 'Attagasam.'
'Sachein’ re-release strikes nostalgic chord with fans
Meanwhile, 'Sachein,' which was originally released in 2005, made a grand return to cinemas with a re-release on April 18, 2025. Much to the delight of fans, the film is currently enjoying a successful theatrical run, proving once again that Vijay’s charm and the film’s breezy storytelling continue to strike a chord with audiences even after two decades.