 Vikram next featured in Rajapattai ( 2011 ) alongside Deeksha Seth under the direction of Suseenthiran where he played a henchman trying to get a break in the Tamil film industry . The film opened to mixed reviews from critics in December 2011 and performed below expectations at the box office . Vikram also completed half of a fantasy period film during 2011 , Karikalan in which he played Karikala Chola , a Tamil king who ruled in 270 BC , opposite Zarine Khan under the direction of graphics director Kannan , but the film was later shelved owing to production troubles . He then appeared in his second project with director Vijay , portraying the lead role of a blinded RAW agent in the action @-@ thriller , Thaandavam . The film , which also featured Anushka Shetty , Amy Jackson and Lakshmi Rai in pivotal roles , opened to mixed reviews in September 2012 . For his role of a blind man , Vikram trained under noted human echolocation specialist Daniel Kish , with the latter also playing a cameo in the film . A critic from Sify.com noted that it was " Vikram and him alone who diverts your attention from the film 's little logical script flaws and spellbinds you with an endearing act that is Thaandavam 's biggest strength " ; subsequently the film did average business commercially . The actor was next seen portraying the title role in Bejoy Nambiar 's bilingual David , which released with different cast members in Hindi and Tamil . Vikram remained the only common lead actor in the versions , with his segment playing out a love story between a careless drunkard fisherman and a mute girl played by Isha Sherwani . While the Tamil version opened to predominantly positive review , the Hindi film also won mixed reviews , with both films performing average business at the box office . 
