The Greatest of All Time (also known as GOAT) is a highly anticipated 2024 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Venkat Prabhu and produced by AGS Entertainment. The film features Vijay in dual roles, with a star-studded cast including Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan, Ajmal Ameer, Jayaram, Sneha, Laila, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Vaibhav, Yogi Babu, Premgi Amaren, and Yugendran. As AGS Entertainment’s 25th production, this film marks Vijay’s penultimate project before his entry into politics. The storyline follows Gandhi, a former leader of a special anti-terrorist squad, who must reunite with his old team to tackle the consequences of their past actions.
Production Timeline
Announced in May 2023 as Thalapathy 68, the film’s official title was revealed in December 2023. Filming began in October 2023 and spanned multiple locations including Chennai, Thailand, Hyderabad, Sri Lanka, Pondicherry, Thiruvananthapuram, Russia, and the United States, concluding in June 2024. The film features a score by Yuvan Shankar Raja, with cinematography by Siddhartha Nuni and editing by Venkat Raajen.
Release Details
The Greatest of All Time premiered globally on September 5, 2024, in both standard and IMAX formats.
Plot Summary
In 2008, the Special Anti-Terrorism Squad (SATS) in Kenya, led by Gandhi, intercepts their former chief, Rajiv Menon, who is accused of treason. They destroy his train, assuming everyone aboard perished. Back in Delhi, the team goes undercover, living as tourism employees to hide their true identities. Gandhi, who is married to Anusuya and has a young son, Jeevan, is devastated when a mission in Bangkok leads to his son’s disappearance.
Fast forward to 2024, Gandhi has left the squad and works as an immigration officer. He is called to Moscow to train new officers, where he discovers an attacker who resembles his lost son, Jeevan. This revelation sets off a chain of events that leads to a dramatic family reunion and a series of confrontations. As it turns out, Jeevan, manipulated by Menon, is now seeking revenge against Gandhi.
In a climactic showdown, Gandhi confronts Jeevan atop the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, preventing a catastrophic bombing. The mid-credits scene reveals that the Jeevan killed was a clone, with the real Jeevan still alive and continuing his plans.
Cast
- Vijay as M. S. Gandhi / Jeevan Gandhi / Sanjay
- Prashanth as Sunil Thiagarajan
- Prabhu Deva as Kalyan Sundaram
- Ajmal Ameer as Ajay Govindharaj
- Mohan as Rajiv Menon
- Jayaram as Nazeer
- Sneha as Anusuya Gandhi
- Laila as Dr. Radhika Sunil
- Meenakshi Chaudhary as Srinidhi Thiagarajan
- Vaibhav as Sha
- Yogi Babu as Diamond Babu
- Premgi Amaren as Seenu
- Yugendran as Abdhul
Production Insights
This film is the first collaboration between Vijay and Venkat Prabhu. Originally slated to be directed by Atlee, Venkat Prabhu took over after Atlee’s commitment to other projects. The film was produced on a ₹400 crore budget, with Vijay receiving ₹200 crore, making him the highest-paid actor in India. The production utilized advanced VFX techniques and AI technology, contributing to its high production value.
Music and Marketing
The soundtrack, composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, was released on September 3, 2024. The marketing campaign featured a range of promotional activities, including unique poster reveals and a record-breaking trailer launch.
Release and Reception
The Greatest of All Time was released in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, and premiered in IMAX and standard formats. It achieved significant box office success, becoming notable for its wide international release and high screen count in Kerala.