Renowned director Mani Ratnam recently weighed in on the ongoing fan battles between Thalapathy Vijay and Ajith Kumar on social media, dismissing such online debates as nothing more than “a random roadside argument.” As fans ardently support their favorite actors and champion their respective films on social platforms, clashes between fan clubs can take a toxic turn.
During a round table discussion at Galatta Plus, Mani Ratnam, alongside directors Vetrimaaran, Sudha Kongara, Mari Selvaraj, Madonne Ashwin, and PS Vinothraj, shared his thoughts on the negativity that often arises from anonymous interactions on social media. Reflecting on the situation, he expressed satisfaction that some areas, like Thirunelveli and Nagercoil, were more focused on discussing the quality of films rather than fixating on box office numbers.
Mani Ratnam emphasized the importance of meaningful debates on social media platforms, stating, “If it is a serious platform where it is being debated, then you can have your opinion. But this (debate that) ‘I like Ajith, I like Vijay’ doesn’t make any sense.”
Trisha, an actress who has collaborated with both Vijay and Ajith, notably appreciated Mani Ratnam’s insights, as evidenced by her liking videos from the panel discussion.
In the realm of box office success, Vijay’s film “Leo,” released on October 19, secured its position as the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2023 and achieved significant success overseas. Meanwhile, Ajith’s “Thunivu,” which hit theaters in January, crossed the Rs 200 crore mark at the box office.
Following the triumph of his recent films, “Ponniyin Selvan: I” and “Ponniyin Selvan: II,” Mani Ratnam is gearing up for his next project, “Thug Life,” featuring Kamal Haasan in the lead role. With pre-production concluded, the film’s shooting is set to commence soon.
