Actor Shiv Karthikeyan has addressed the ongoing speculation in Kollywood about who could be the “next Thalapathy” following Thalapathy Vijay’s entry into politics. Responding to social media tags like “Kutty Thalapathy” and “Future Thalapathy,” Karthikeyan clarified that he does not seek such titles and emphasized his respect for Vijay. “Annan is always annam, and thammudu is always thammudu,” he said, stressing that the elder brother’s position is unique.
Speaking at the trailer launch of his upcoming film Madarasi, Karthikeyan also refuted claims that he is trying to attract Vijay’s fan base. “No actor tries to win another actor’s fans. I have been working in the industry for 15 years and have built my own fan following. That is enough for me,” he explained.
He also urged his fans not to get swayed by social media trolls. “Even great players like Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni face criticism. Don’t waste your time responding to such things,” he advised. Actress Rukmini Vasanth, present at the event, praised Karthikeyan’s dedication and said she is a big fan of his acting. Directed by A.R. Murugadoss, Madarasi is set to release simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu on September 5, with Karthikeyan appearing in a guest role.