Bala became the career mentor of Chiyaan Vikram and Suriya has they both needed a big hit to consolidate their place during the initial stage of their respective careers. He gave Vikram his identity as Chiyaan with Sethu and Suriya got a huge name with Nanda.
Both appeared in Pithamagan that made them even more popular and actually Suriya after Pithamagan could bat for being a bigger star while Vikram gave Aparichithudu.
But Bala did not have a great time directing Vikram’s son Dhruv on Arjun Reddy remake and the whole fiasco made Bala look very meek. Bala lost his original touch also in recent years.
Now, he got Suriya’s attention with an unique storyline, it seems. The movie could go on floors after Suriya completes Kaappan and Guru/Iruddhi Sutru fame Sudha Gongara’s next.