 Vikram began his professional career by modelling in advert films for brands including Chola Tea , TVS Excel and Alwyn watches as well as appearing in a six episode television serial titled Galatta <unk> which aired between November and December 1988 . During the final year of his <unk> programme at Loyola College , he was recognised by the film industry , with veteran director C. V. Sridhar approaching him for a lead role in a film . Vikram made his film debut in 1990 by appearing in En Kadhal Kanmani , a small budget love story featuring him alongside Rekha Nambiar , with Sridhar 's <unk> <unk> Ennai opposite Rohini being his next release . He then signed on to be a part of cinematographer P. C. Sriram 's college love story , Meera with high expectations , however the three films failed to launch his career . His appearances in Meera and in <unk> <unk> , with another veteran director S. P. Muthuraman , helped him secure film offers from the Malayalam and Telugu film industries . In 1993 , he almost signed on to appear in Mani Ratnam 's Bombay and featured in the initial photo shoot alongside Manisha Koirala . However Mani Ratnam wanted Vikram to remove his beard for the role , and Vikram could not do so due to continuity problems with another film he had signed and hence was dropped from the project . 
