By Pavethran Batmanathen

‘Mersal,’ featuring Vijay in the lead role, was released during the 2017 Diwali season and has now completed 7 years since its theatrical debut. The blockbuster film continues to hold a special place in the hearts of fans, who have been celebrating its milestone on social media, making ‘Mersal’ a top trending topic. In the midst of these celebrations, the film’s cinematographer, GK Vishnu, took to social media to reflect on the movie’s anniversary and express his heartfelt gratitude.

Sharing his emotions, GK Vishnu wrote, “Heart full of gratefulness. Can’t thank you enough @Atlee_dir for trusting me as a debutant. @actorvijay na, you have been very kind and generous. Capturing you is a dream come true. ‘Mersal’ will always be a special film in all of our hearts.” His message conveyed the immense appreciation he holds for director Atlee, who gave him his first opportunity as a cinematographer, and for Vijay, whose presence in front of the camera turned out to be a dream-come-true experience for the debutant.

‘Mersal’ was GK Vishnu’s first project as a cinematographer, and his stunning visuals added a layer of richness and sophistication that elevated the cinematic experience for audiences. The success of his work in ‘Mersal’ cemented his relationship with Atlee, and the two went on to collaborate in subsequent projects, including the massive hits ‘Bigil’ and ‘Jawan.’ Prior to his breakthrough in ‘Mersal,’ GK Vishnu had honed his craft as an associate to well-known cinematographers like TS Suresh, George C Williams, Richard M Nathan, and PS Vinod, which gave him the experience and insight to excel when his opportunity finally came.

The film ‘Mersal’ also marked the second collaboration between Vijay and Atlee, following their earlier success with the cop-drama ‘Theri.’ The actor-director duo would reunite once again for ‘Bigil’ in the years to come. In ‘Mersal,’ Vijay showcased his versatility by playing three distinct characters—Vetri, Maaran, and Vetrimaaran—each representing different facets of the protagonist’s persona, adding depth to the storyline.

The film became one of the highest-grossing Tamil movies of its time, raking in over Rs 250 crore globally. Alongside Vijay, the film boasted a strong ensemble cast, including Nithya Menen, Samantha, Kajal Aggarwal, SJ Suryah, Sathyaraj, Vadivelu, and Kovai Sarala, all of whom played pivotal roles that contributed to the film’s widespread appeal and success.

As ‘Mersal’ continues to be celebrated 7 years after its release, it remains a landmark achievement in Tamil cinema, remembered not only for its stellar performances and gripping narrative but also for the remarkable visual storytelling that GK Vishnu brought to the big screen.

Source: https://www.msn.com/en-in/entertainment/southcinema/vijay-s-mersal-completes-7-years-cinematographer-gk-vishnu-thanks-atlee-for-believing-in-the-debutant/ar-AA1suNxY?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1, Picture Credits: x.com