At what was supposed to be a celebratory event for the upcoming release of Kubera, actor Dhanush turned the spotlight onto himself with a passionate and emotionally charged speech that has now taken on a life of its own. Speaking in front of co-stars Nagarjuna and Rashmika Mandanna, and director Sekhar Kammula, the Asuran star addressed what he called a growing climate of hate and negativity within the industry.
“This is the age of hate. A time when resentment stands tall. My brothers, step away from it. If anyone wants to see me fall, let them try. They won’t be able to move even a brick. As long as my fans are with me, I will keep rising like a fireball,” Dhanush declared to thunderous applause.
Though he didn’t name names, the tone and timing of his speech have set off a firestorm of speculation—who was Dhanush really talking about?
One widely discussed possibility is Nayanthara, with whom Dhanush reportedly had a fallout following the release of her Netflix documentary Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale. The documentary allegedly included behind-the-scenes footage from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, a film produced by Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films, without his approval. His team is said to have raised objections and sought compensation amounting to several crores from Netflix and Nayanthara’s representatives. The dispute is believed to have strained their once-professional rapport.
Another theory doing the rounds involves Sivakarthikeyan. Though the two actors have never addressed any feud directly, industry insiders have often spoken about a subtle rivalry brewing between them. With both vying for space among Tamil cinema’s top-tier stars, comparisons have been inevitable. Dhanush launching indirect jabs at a contemporary who has risen in popularity is not without precedent, and some interpret his words as a thinly veiled dig at Sivakarthikeyan’s recent success and growing fan base.
Then there is Suchitra, whose infamous Twitter account leak from years ago stirred a hornet’s nest in the Tamil film industry, dragging several celebrities—including Dhanush—into controversy. While the scandal has long since faded from headlines, it continues to linger in public memory. Some believe Dhanush’s comments about not being “brought down” and standing firm could be a resurfacing of his frustration over being caught in the web of that controversy, and a reminder of the emotional toll it took.
What makes the moment even more compelling is the cinematic context in which it happened. Kubera, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Sekhar Kammula, sees Dhanush play a beggar who dares to challenge the social order. With Nagarjuna playing a wealthy businessman and Rashmika Mandanna in a layered role, the film is a political drama steeped in class conflict—mirroring, perhaps unintentionally, the subtext of Dhanush’s real-life statement about struggle and resistance.
Fans were divided in their reactions. Some applauded Dhanush for his sincerity and unfiltered honesty, interpreting the speech as a heartfelt appeal against toxicity in the film fraternity. Others criticised the cryptic nature of his remarks, calling it unnecessary theatre that would only deepen divides among fan communities.
Regardless of who the intended subject may have been—Nayanthara, Sivakarthikeyan, or Suchitra—the actor’s words have overshadowed the promotional campaign for Kubera. As the film gears up for its release on June 20, this off-script moment has become one of the most talked-about aspects of the rollout.
Neither Nayanthara, Sivakarthikeyan, nor Suchitra has publicly addressed the comments, nor has Dhanush offered clarification. But in the world of cinema where subtext often speaks louder than direct statements, this incident may well be remembered long after the film’s theatrical run.
Such emotionally charged speeches have increasingly become the norm in South Indian cinema’s pre-release events. Intended to connect with fan bases, they often blur the line between marketing and personal messaging. In Dhanush’s case, his Thalaivar-style stage presence—complete with dramatic pauses and fervent expressions—drew comparisons to Rajinikanth himself.
“Whether or not Kubera becomes a blockbuster, Dhanush has already delivered the drama fans paid for—just at the promotional event,” quipped a meme page on Instagram.