Marketing With Controversial Statements: AR Murugadoss Stirs Debate

Director AR Murugadoss is back in the spotlight, not only for his new film Madrasi but also for the way he is promoting it. His interviews are raising more heat than the movie posters. Instead of playing it safe, Murugadoss has chosen to speak openly about past failures, pointing fingers at stars and situations rather than himself. His remark about Salman Khan arriving on sets only after 8 pm, while South stars begin their day in the morning, has left Salman’s fans fuming. They see it as unnecessary blame for the flop of Sikander, and they are questioning why Murugadoss is bringing this up years later.

The director did not stop there. While talking about Darbar, he said political forces against Superstar Rajinikanth at the time distanced the film, causing a wave of negativity. But he avoided admitting why the film itself failed to satisfy audiences. To add more fuel, he stated that Bollywood “entertainment directors” make ₹1000 crore films while Kollywood filmmakers are here to “educate people.” This line became instant fodder for trolls, turning social media into a meme fest. Murugadoss even revealed that he had narrated the story of Madrasi to Shah Rukh Khan seven years ago, suggesting the film has been in his mind for a long time.

For someone who once worked with the biggest names like Megastar Chiranjeevi, Aamir Khan, Suriya, Rajinikanth, and Mahesh Babu, Murugadoss now seems to be marketing with contradictions. Despite Sivakarthikeyan leading Madrasi, the buzz is surprisingly low. The team is banking heavily on Anirudh Ravichander’s music to turn the tide.

Murugadoss, however, is unshaken. He insists Madrasi will deliver a hit when it arrives on September 5. But if the content doesn’t connect, Sivakarthikeyan, currently enjoying back-to-back blockbusters, could be looking at his first major setback. The gamble is real, and the audience verdict will decide if Murugadoss’s bold talk pays off or backfires.