At 75, Rajinikanth says he now feels hesitant every time he is invited to speak. His words get picked apart when he does, and when he stays quiet, people mock him for that too.
Image Source: X
Rajinikanth spoke at the launch of his upcoming film ‘Dharman’ in Chennai and addressed something that has followed him for years. He talked about the criticism he faces regardless of whether he speaks or stays silent, and said it took him a long time to understand how public opinion actually works.
Rajinikanth opened his speech by saying that being invited to speak now makes him hesitant.
Advertisement
“Pesa azhaikarom nu sonnale thayakkama iruku. En na naa pesinaale problem; onnu enaku problem illa ungaluku problem,” he said.
Advertisement
Superstar #Rajinikanth‘s starts off his speech with a punch on his haters..😅
“Naa pesnaale problem.. Edhadhu kelapite irupanga.. Na chumma irundha.. Ivaru enna pesave matingranga.. Vaai la enna kolukatta vechrukara.. Apdinu solli kindal panvanga.. Pesna.. Ahhh ipo pesu.. apdinu… pic.twitter.com/Au9swM4Tha
— Laxmi Kanth (@iammoviebuff007) June 24, 2026
In his own words translated: the moment someone calls him to speak, he feels hesitant. Because whenever he speaks, it becomes a problem. Either for him or for the audience.
He said the scrutiny does not stop when he stays quiet either.
“Naa summa irundha, ivan enna pesave maatrangaranga, vaai la enna kozhukattai vechikaara nu galatta pannuvanga,” he said.
Translated: if he stays quiet, people mock him and ask why he is not speaking, suggesting he has a kozhukattai in his mouth.
And when he does speak, he said the reaction is equally divided. Some ask why he chose to speak at that moment. Others say he should not have spoken at all.
Rajinikanth said it took him many years to understand something about public opinion. He put it plainly.
“Romba naal kazhichi therinjikiten, nammala pudikadhavangaluku namma enna senjaalum pudikaadhu. Pudichavangaluku namma enna senjaalum pudikum nu ninaikardhu muttal thanam,” he said.
Translated: people who do not like you will not like you no matter what you do. And assuming that people who like you will approve of everything you do is foolish. One has to be careful.
He said expecting everyone to approve of one’s actions is unrealistic. The lesson he has taken from decades in public life is that caution matters more than trying to please everyone.
Rajinikanth’s comments come against a backdrop of ongoing scrutiny of his public statements and meetings. The 75-year-old actor has faced criticism in recent years for his political stance and for meetings with political leaders, even when those meetings were described as courtesy visits. He has been trolled on social media each time he has chosen to engage with a political figure or comment on a public issue.
The Dharman launch event was held in Chennai on Wednesday. The film was earlier referred to as Thalaivar173 before the title was officially announced. It is directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, best known for Dragon. The film is produced by Kamal Haasan and R Mahendran under the banner of Raaj Kamal Films International.
The title poster released at the launch showed Rajinikanth in an operation theatre holding a scalpel, pointing to a doctor’s role. Music is by Anirudh Ravichander. Stunts are choreographed by National Award-winning duo Anbariv. Cinematography is by Niketh Bommi and editing by Pradeep E Raghav.
Advertisement
