Tamil actor Dhanush recently responded to public discussions surrounding his acquisition of a luxurious home in Poes Garden, Chennai—a prestigious neighborhood known for housing celebrities like superstar Rajinikanth and the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, J. Jayalalithaa.
The house, reportedly valued at around ₹150 crore, became a topic of conversation after Dhanush hosted a housewarming event last year.
Speaking at the audio launch of his upcoming film "Raayan," Dhanush addressed the controversy, sharing a personal anecdote that influenced his decision to buy the property. He recounted an experience from his youth when he admired the homes of Rajinikanth and Jayalalithaa in Poes Garden and dreamt of owning a house in such a prestigious area.
"If I knew buying a house in Poes Garden would have become such a big topic of conversation, I would have got a small apartment instead," he said, questioning whether someone from a humble background should be criticized for aspiring to live in a better place.
Despite his motivational story, Dhanush faced backlash on social media, with critics accusing him of portraying himself as an "outsider" despite being the son of a well-known Tamil filmmaker.
Some users felt his narrative was an overstatement, given his family's established position in the film industry. Comments ranged from questioning his comparisons to self-made stars like Rajinikanth and Jayalalithaa, to accusations of exaggerating his struggles.
Dhanush is set to appear in the film "Raayan," scheduled for release on July 26.