Antony Varghese Reveals Regret Over Missing Out on Thalapathy Vijay’s ‘Master’ at ‘I’m Game’ Promo Event
The buzz surrounding the upcoming action thriller I’m Game reached a fever pitch in Chennai this week as the film’s star-studded cast gathered to promote the project ahead of its worldwide release on September 3. Directed by Nahas Hidayath—the creative force behind the hit RDX—the film promises a high-octane cinematic experience featuring a stellar ensemble, including Dulquer Salmaan, Antony Varghese, Kathir, Samyuktha Viswanathan, Mysskin, and Kayadu Lohar.
A Candid Confession: Missing Out on ‘Master’
While the event served as a platform to highlight the film, a candid moment involving Antony Varghese stole the spotlight. A self-proclaimed “die-hard fan” of Thalapathy Vijay, Varghese opened up about a career-defining “what if” moment.
The actor revealed that he was initially approached for the role of Das—the iconic antagonist eventually played by Arjun Das—in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s blockbuster Master. “I was committed to another film at that time and could not take it up. I still regret missing that opportunity,” Varghese shared. He added with a touch of humor and melancholy, “Now that Vijay sir has moved into a new chapter of his life, I feel even sadder that I might not get a chance to share the screen with him.”
Embracing the Tamil Audience
This marks a significant milestone for Varghese, as it is his first time visiting Chennai to officially promote a film in which he plays a lead role. Expressing his excitement, he noted, “I have visited Chennai many times, but this is the first time I am here for a film I have acted in. I truly hope the Tamil audience will embrace me and support this project.”
Varghese was quick to heap praise on his collaborators, describing director Nahas Hidayath as a close friend and hailing Dulquer Salmaan as both a professional inspiration and a “good human being.” He also lightheartedly countered his intense on-screen image, insisting that he is far more “innocent” in real life than the gritty, tough characters he is known for portraying.
A Star-Studded Wish List
During the interactive session, the conversation turned to the future, with Varghese expressing his strong desire to collaborate with some of the biggest icons of Tamil cinema. Beyond his admiration for Vijay, he named Ajith Kumar, Rajinikanth, and Suriya as his dream collaborators.
The event, which saw Dulquer Salmaan delighting fans with impromptu singing and dancing, left little doubt about the team’s confidence in I’m Game. With the film’s release just around the corner, the combination of a high-stakes thriller, a pan-Indian star like Dulquer, and the rising popularity of Antony Varghese has created significant anticipation among Tamil moviegoers. As the team prepares for the September 3 premiere, the palpable energy in Chennai suggests that I’m Game is poised to make a massive impact.
