Dhanush Sparks Debate with ‘Outsider’ Claim at Raayan Audio Launch
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/24th July 2024
Actor Dhanush has stirred significant discussion on social media following his speech at the audio launch of his upcoming film Raayan. During the event, Dhanush described himself as an “outsider” and recounted the hard work he put in to purchase a house in the prestigious Poes Garden area, which is home to notable figures such as Rajinikanth and the late Jayalalitha. His comments, however, have sparked a debate online, with many pointing out that he hails from a film family background.
In his speech, Dhanush reflected on the reactions to his purchase of a property in Poes Garden. He remarked, “If I had known that buying a house in Poes Garden would become such a topic of discussion, I would have opted for a smaller apartment. Should I not buy a house in such a renowned area? If I were to live on the streets, should I just stay there?” He further shared a personal anecdote from when he was 16, describing how he rode by the area with a friend and marveled at the homes of Rajinikanth and Jayalalitha. “I thought to myself that one day, I wanted to own a house in a posh locality like Poes Garden. The house I have today is a tribute to that 16-year-old Venkatesh Prabhu,” he added.
Despite the inspirational nature of his story, many on social media took issue with Dhanush’s portrayal of himself as an outsider. Critics pointed out that he is the son of director Kasthuri Raja and that his initial career was financially supported by his family. One user on X (formerly Twitter) criticized Dhanush for his perceived disconnect from the struggles of those without a film industry background. They commented, “It’s amusing when a star kid like Dhanush speaks about starting from scratch. His family background gave him a significant advantage from the beginning.”
Another user highlighted that Dhanush’s father financed his debut film when he was just 18, and by 20, he was married to Rajinikanth’s daughter. This led to comments questioning the authenticity of Dhanush’s portrayal of struggle, with some suggesting that his simple attire and Rudraksha beads did not necessarily reflect genuine humility.
However, Dhanush also received support from some quarters. Advocates for the actor suggested that his speech should be seen as motivational rather than scrutinized. One supporter wrote, “If you can find inspiration in it, then great; otherwise, just ignore it. Spreading negativity doesn’t help anyone.”
As Dhanush continues to navigate the complexities of his public image, his upcoming film Raayan is set to release this Friday. The film features a stellar cast including Sundeep Kishan and Kalidas Jayaram, alongside notable actors such as SJ Suryah, Selvaraghavan, Prakash Raj, Dushara Vijayan, Aparna Balamurali, and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar. Additionally, Dhanush is expected to appear in the Telugu-Tamil bilingual film Kubera, directed by Sekhar Kammula, which also stars Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, and Jim Sarbh.
As Dhanush prepares for the release of Raayan, his comments and the ensuing debate serve as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by public figures in managing their personal and professional narratives.
