Before this film, Vikram was struggling. In Sethu , he played a college rowdy who descends into madness and homelessness. He slept on real pavements, lost 20 kg, and didn't bathe for days to get into character. The result? A National Award for Best Actor and a cult following.
As Chithan, a grave-digging, mute tribal warrior, Vikram communicated only through his eyes and body. He learned Kalaripayattu (ancient martial art) and barely spoke for months during filming. The role won him his second National Award.