‘Whenever I speak, it becomes a problem’

Veteran actor Rajinikanth responds to trolls after Thalapathy Vijay remarks controversy

Rajinikanth addressed the criticism he has faced in recent months, saying that every public statement he makes ends up creating controversy. The superstar spoke while attending the title reveal event of his upcoming film Dharman, where he was joined by Kamal Haasan and director Ashwath Marimuthu.

Opening his speech, Rajinikanth admitted that he now feels reluctant to speak publicly because his words are often scrutinised and debated. “The moment someone says they are calling me to speak, I feel hesitant. Because whenever I speak, it becomes a problem, either for you or for me,” he said.

The actor added that remaining silent is not an option either, as people then question why he is not speaking at all. “If I stay quiet, they will make fun of me, saying, ‘Why isn’t he speaking? Has he kept a kozhukattai (a sweet delicacy) in his mouth?’” he remarked, drawing laughter from the audience.