Director Shankar’s one and only remake film Nanban released in 2012 was a frame to frame carbon copy of Rajkumar Hirani's 3 Idiots. Nanban features an ensemble cast that includes Vijay Jiiva, Ileana D'Cruz, Srikanth and Sathyaraj. Siva Manasula Sakthi heroin Anuya Bhagvath played a small role as Ileana’s sister in the film. In one of Nanban’s highlight scenes, Anuya’s character must slap Panchavan Pariventhan alias Kosaksi Pasapugazh played by Vijay. During a recent interview with Galatta, Anuya revealed how reluctant she was while enacting that scene.  
 
“While working in Nanban, I was told to act exactly the way it was done in the original Hindi film 3 Idiots. That was our reference point, so when every time we shot a scene, we used to watch 3 Idiots on the phone or some other device. Because every actor needs to know how exactly that particular scene has to be done because it was a frame to frame copy. And I knew from the beginning that I had to slap Thalapathy Vijay for that scene. I knew I had to slap him in such a way it doesn’t hurt but it looks like I slapped him really hard. Obviously, who wants to slap Thalapathy Vijay, he will slap me back.  
 
So, I was reluctant and gave him a pat on his cheek inside of a slap. Vijay and Shankar sir gave me a stare. Shankar sir told me, I thought you were a good actor. I told him, ‘sir, how can I slap him? Please help me.’ Shankar sir replied saying, ‘This is not Vijay, just give him a tight slap.’ So, I was like Vijay is not Vijay anymore for me. I told Vijay on his face that I am going to slap him harder this time and then slapped just like that. Thank you Shankar sir for helping me out with that scene.”