Legendary filmmaker Shankar stands out for his ability to craft commercially successful films that tackle weighty social issues. Pioneering this approach in the early 1990s, he paved the way for directors like Murugadoss and Atlee who followed in his footsteps.
Shankar’s reign as the leading director in South Indian cinema predates the rise of S.S. Rajamouli’s epic ventures. He has gifted audiences with iconic films like “Gentleman,” “Jeans,” and “Shivaji,” each featuring unforgettable heroes like Senapathy and the titular Shivaji. Notably, the one-day Chief Minister from “Oke Okkadu” is another such character etched in the minds of viewers.
A champion of social justice, Shankar’s films consistently feature protagonists battling a corrupt system. This thematic consistency reportedly led him to conceive a unique concept – a Shankar Cinematic Universe.
Far from a recent inspiration, Shankar revealed in a recent interview that this idea originated in 2008. He envisioned a shared universe featuring the lead characters from “Indian” (Senapathy), “Mudhalvan” (the one-day Chief Minister), and “Shivaji.” However, his proposal to his assistants met with a lukewarm response, prompting him to shelve the idea.
With the upcoming release of “Indian 2” on July 12th, 28 years after the original film, excitement is palpable. Kamal Haasan reprises his iconic role as Senapathy, alongside Siddharth in a pivotal role. The cast also boasts Priya Bhavani Shankar, Rakul Preet Singh, and SJ Suriya. Following “Indian 2,” Shankar is slated to deliver “Game Changer” later this year, featuring Ram Charan in a pan-Indian project.
Shankar’s legacy extends beyond box office success. His vision for a cinematic universe, though unrealized at the time, demonstrates a forward-thinking approach and a keen understanding of audience engagement. With the ongoing popularity of interconnected narratives, one can’t help but wonder if Shankar’s vision might find its way to the screen in the future.
