<p>'<em>Jawan</em>' filmmaker Atlee on Thursday said he next aims to direct a film that earns Rs 3,000 crore at the box office as he wants to cast superstars Vijay and Shah Rukh Khan together.</p>.<p>The director made his Hindi cinema debut with 'Jawan', which also marked his first collaboration with Shah Rukh. He has worked with Vijay in Tamil hits such as '<em>Theri</em>', '<em>Mersal</em>' and '<em>Bigil</em>'.</p>.<p>On the second day of the India Today Conclave here, Atlee was asked to choose between Shah Rukh and Vijay.</p>.<p>'I would pick both of them,' he said in his response.</p>.<p>Asked if he had enough budget to afford both the stars, the filmmaker said he plans to make a film that does a business of Rs 3,000 crore to be able to do so. </p><p>Released on September 7, '<em>Jawan</em>' has emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2023 till date with over Rs 1,000 crore in reported earnings.</p>.'Jawan' becomes the first Indian film to cross $16 million in the Middle East .<p>'I have to do Rs 3000 crore (for the) next film, so definitely, it (casting Shah Rukh and Vijay together) should be easy enough. I would like to pick both of them. </p><p>'One is like a wife, one is like a mother. I can't leave either. I have to live with both,' Atlee said during the session titled 'Mass appeal: Recipe for scripting a blockbuster'.</p>.<p>While the filmmaker credited Vijay for helping him cement his position in the film industry, he expressed gratitude towards Shah Rukh for trusting him blindly with '<em>Jawan</em>'.</p>.<p>'He (Vijay) has given me back-to-back films. Of course, I've delivered hits to him, but he really trusted me. From there, a man who came with utmost trust... There are so many directors around the country.</p>.<p>'Anybody would have said yes if Mr Shah Rukh Khan called them to do a film. But he trusted me blindly. I don't know why he selected me. But that trust has made me do '<em>Jawan</em>' with utmost responsibility and love,' Atlee said.</p>.<p>'<em>Jawan</em>' is a father-son story that addresses social and political issues through its hero, essayed by Shah Rukh. The pan-India film, released in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, also stars Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi with Deepika Padukone in a special appearance.</p>.<p>The 37-year-old filmmaker hopes his films stand the test of time.</p>.<p>'After 100 years also, this dialogue should connect the audience in the right way. If a coach teaches a student how to (do a) goal, it's not for the next match. It's for a lifetime. I give a message for a lifetime. My film should stand for 100 years,' he said.</p>.<p>According to Atlee, '<em>Jawan</em>' has 'cracked' the formula to bring audiences up north to the theatres.</p>.<p>'After Covid-19, the ecosystem suffered a lot. Of course, Rajamouli sir (with '<em>RRR</em>'), Prashanth sir (with '<em>KGF: Chapter 2</em>'), most of the directors have done their part.</p>.<p>'But I think in Hindi cinema, it was very difficult to bring the audience to theatres. I think 'Jawan' has cracked it. I'm super happy about it. That's my success more than the Rs 1,000 crore,' he added.</p>.<p>The director said he is called 'South Indian Karan Johar' as he made his debut with the 2013 romantic comedy drama '<em>Raja</em> <em>Rani</em>'. Filmmaker Karan Johar is best known for his romantic dramas such as '<em>Kuch Kuch Hota Hai</em>', '<em>Student of the Year</em>', and most recently '<em>Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani</em>'.</p>.<p>"Because I started with love films, people call me 'South Indian Karan Johar'. Now, I'm doing action films and I love Karan sir. He really pushed me to do this Hindi film. I owe him, it's a great thing for me," Atlee said.</p>
<p>'<em>Jawan</em>' filmmaker Atlee on Thursday said he next aims to direct a film that earns Rs 3,000 crore at the box office as he wants to cast superstars Vijay and Shah Rukh Khan together.</p>.<p>The director made his Hindi cinema debut with 'Jawan', which also marked his first collaboration with Shah Rukh. He has worked with Vijay in Tamil hits such as '<em>Theri</em>', '<em>Mersal</em>' and '<em>Bigil</em>'.</p>.<p>On the second day of the India Today Conclave here, Atlee was asked to choose between Shah Rukh and Vijay.</p>.<p>'I would pick both of them,' he said in his response.</p>.<p>Asked if he had enough budget to afford both the stars, the filmmaker said he plans to make a film that does a business of Rs 3,000 crore to be able to do so. </p><p>Released on September 7, '<em>Jawan</em>' has emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2023 till date with over Rs 1,000 crore in reported earnings.</p>.'Jawan' becomes the first Indian film to cross $16 million in the Middle East .<p>'I have to do Rs 3000 crore (for the) next film, so definitely, it (casting Shah Rukh and Vijay together) should be easy enough. I would like to pick both of them. </p><p>'One is like a wife, one is like a mother. I can't leave either. I have to live with both,' Atlee said during the session titled 'Mass appeal: Recipe for scripting a blockbuster'.</p>.<p>While the filmmaker credited Vijay for helping him cement his position in the film industry, he expressed gratitude towards Shah Rukh for trusting him blindly with '<em>Jawan</em>'.</p>.<p>'He (Vijay) has given me back-to-back films. Of course, I've delivered hits to him, but he really trusted me. From there, a man who came with utmost trust... There are so many directors around the country.</p>.<p>'Anybody would have said yes if Mr Shah Rukh Khan called them to do a film. But he trusted me blindly. I don't know why he selected me. But that trust has made me do '<em>Jawan</em>' with utmost responsibility and love,' Atlee said.</p>.<p>'<em>Jawan</em>' is a father-son story that addresses social and political issues through its hero, essayed by Shah Rukh. The pan-India film, released in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, also stars Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi with Deepika Padukone in a special appearance.</p>.<p>The 37-year-old filmmaker hopes his films stand the test of time.</p>.<p>'After 100 years also, this dialogue should connect the audience in the right way. If a coach teaches a student how to (do a) goal, it's not for the next match. It's for a lifetime. I give a message for a lifetime. My film should stand for 100 years,' he said.</p>.<p>According to Atlee, '<em>Jawan</em>' has 'cracked' the formula to bring audiences up north to the theatres.</p>.<p>'After Covid-19, the ecosystem suffered a lot. Of course, Rajamouli sir (with '<em>RRR</em>'), Prashanth sir (with '<em>KGF: Chapter 2</em>'), most of the directors have done their part.</p>.<p>'But I think in Hindi cinema, it was very difficult to bring the audience to theatres. I think 'Jawan' has cracked it. I'm super happy about it. That's my success more than the Rs 1,000 crore,' he added.</p>.<p>The director said he is called 'South Indian Karan Johar' as he made his debut with the 2013 romantic comedy drama '<em>Raja</em> <em>Rani</em>'. Filmmaker Karan Johar is best known for his romantic dramas such as '<em>Kuch Kuch Hota Hai</em>', '<em>Student of the Year</em>', and most recently '<em>Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani</em>'.</p>.<p>"Because I started with love films, people call me 'South Indian Karan Johar'. Now, I'm doing action films and I love Karan sir. He really pushed me to do this Hindi film. I owe him, it's a great thing for me," Atlee said.</p>