Actor and filmmaker Samuthirakani visited Hyderabad recently to promote his upcoming film, Carmeni Selvam, directed by Ram Chakri. The film is set to be released in Telugu, marking a significant step for the director. During the promotional event, Samuthirakani addressed a viral video where he criticized actor Vijay in the context of Vijay’s public appearance with actress Trisha Krishnan at a Chennai wedding. He confirmed his awareness of being recorded and stood by his remarks.
At the press meet, a reporter inquired about Samuthirakani’s prior comments regarding Vijay. Initially perplexed, he encouraged the reporter to speak candidly. This led to a discussion about the video where he expressed his views on Vijay’s conduct. Samuthirakani elaborated that he had shared his feelings openly, knowing he was being filmed, and indicated that only the latter part of their conversation had been recorded. He insisted that he sees no reason to withhold his thoughts because of the recording.
The actor emphasized that he had once been an early supporter of Vijay’s political aspirations, which added to his sense of betrayal. He expressed that the pain of the situation led to his candid remarks. Samuthirakani’s comments came as an unexpected response to an event that many had been discussing following Vijay’s public outing with Trisha.
In February, reports emerged outlining that Vijay’s wife, Sangeeta Sornalingam, filed for divorce on grounds of infidelity, alleging that he had an affair with an unnamed actress. This legal move coincided with speculations about a romantic relationship between Vijay and Trisha, which had been rumored for some time.
After a wedding reception in Chennai where Vijay and Trisha appeared together, criticisms arose from various quarters, including Samuthirakani and fellow actor R. Parthiban. They questioned the appropriateness of Vijay’s public displays during a politically sensitive time, as he prepares to contest in the Tamil Nadu elections with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). In the viral video, Samuthirakani could be heard suggesting that personal matters should remain private rather than being aired publicly.
In a subsequent interview with Galatta Tamil, Samuthirakani reiterated his sentiments, asserting that he didn’t believe he had committed an error by voicing his thoughts. He maintained that he stood by his statements and did not regret expressing his perspective. As he concluded the event, fan anticipation for Carmeni Selvam, which features Gautham Vasudev Menon and Abhinaya among others, continues to grow ahead of its theatrical release on April 3.