Anandaraj

On playing the hero roles, Anand Raj mentioned: "When one gets popular being a villain, people around you always push you to take the next step and it was one of those phases when I took up offers to play the lead role". He went on to play lead roles in the films David Uncle, Thambi Oorukku Puthusu, Kaaval Nilayam, Palaivana Paravaigal, Katharavan, En Rajangam, Kizhakku Veluthathchu, Government Mappillai, Pokkiri Thambi, Puthiya Aatchi and My India. Even though directors offered him good scripts, the films just didn't work well at the box office.[2][3]

Anand Raj continued: "When you are a hero, you get to do only two or three films a year. But if you are a villain, you get to sign a lot of films". He said he lost his income as his films as the hero didn't work, so he decided to play once again as the villain, as well as character actor roles.

Director Prabhu Deva offered Anandraj the lead in the role and asked him not to react to anything, even though a baddie is expected to give exaggerated expressions. Prabhu Deva wanted Anandraj to sport a certain look, so he underwent intense training for a year and lost about 12 kilos and fulfilled Prabhu Deva's expectation to get signed for Action Jackson. He played a don in the film and his look was completely different from the one he had tried in the south, as he spots a lizard tattoo on his head.[2]