Veteran actor Rajinikanth attended the launch event of his upcoming film Dharman on June 24 in Chennai. The film is being produced by Kamal Haasan and is expected to release during Pongal 2027. The event attracted a lot of attention not only because of the film announcement but also because Rajinikanth spoke about fan loyalty, criticism and the recent speculation surrounding his birthday wishes for Joseph Vijay.
During his interaction at the event, Rajinikanth shared his thoughts on how fans react to the choices made by their favourite stars. He explained that it is not realistic to expect supporters to agree with every decision. He said that fans may appreciate many things an actor does, but they may also disagree with some actions. His comments were seen as a balanced view on the relationship between celebrities and their followers. He also spoke about criticism and suggested that it is a natural part of public life for someone who has spent many years in the film industry.
His remarks came just days after social media users questioned why he had not publicly wished Joseph Vijay on his birthday on June 22. The discussion gained attention because Vijay had recently become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Many people expected Rajinikanth to post a public birthday message, but no such post appeared on his social media accounts.
Swag is his Signature#KettaPaiyanSir#Dharman Shoot Begins#SuperstarRajinikanth #KamalHaasan @rajinikanth @ikamalhaasan #Mahendran @Dir_Ashwath @anirudhofficial @anbariv @iYogiBabu @SimranbaggaOffc #RaashiKhanna @nikethbommi #KarthikRajkumar @PradeepERagav @kabilanchelliah… pic.twitter.com/C8k7C7yABr
— Raaj Kamal Films International (@RKFI) June 25, 2026
Responding to the speculation, Rajinikanth clarified that he had personally called Vijay to wish him on his birthday. His statement put an end to the rumours that had been circulating online. Many fans appreciated his explanation and said that a personal phone call can be more meaningful than making a public post on social media.
The event also gave fans their first look at Rajinikanth’s character in Dharman. The actor will be seen playing a doctor in the action drama. The first look generated interest among movie lovers, while the makers confirmed that the film is scheduled to arrive during Pongal 2027.
With Rajinikanth addressing both the fan discussion and the Vijay birthday speculation at the same event, the launch of Dharman became one of the most talked about film events in Chennai. His comments offered clarity on the recent rumours while also highlighting his view that support from fans and criticism from others are both a part of an actor’s journey.