Tamil cinema star Dhanush struck an unusually candid chord at the pre-release event of his upcoming action-thriller O.M: Operation Mole on Saturday, November 14, 2026, addressing viral social media trolling, calling himself a lifelong “underdog,” and revealing how fiercely honest his sons Yatra and Linga are about his films.
Speaking ahead of the film’s theatrical release on November 20, 2026, the National Award-winning actor cleared the air around a widely circulated December 2025 promotional clip for Tere Ishk Mein that had sparked online criticism accusing him of arrogance.
Clarifying the Viral Stylist Clip & Opening Up About Trolls
During the event, Dhanush directly addressed his longtime stylist, Kavya Sriram, who was seated in the audience, playfully teasing her about her dedication while explaining what actually happened in the viral video:
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- ‘I Didn’t Notice Her Doing It’: Dhanush explained that during Tere Ishk Mein promotions, Sriram noticed creases on his trousers and instinctively fixed them in public without him realizing it at the moment. “I didn’t notice her doing it and went about my business. Later, I got called arrogant for it. Maybe, sometimes, you can reduce your workload a little,” he joked with a laugh.
- Facing Fan Wars & Online Negativity: Asked by the host whether harsh social media trolling and online fan wars affect him, Dhanush answered honestly: “If I say no, it would be a lie. It definitely affects me. But I focus on my work; I don’t know anything else.” Describing himself as an “underdog” all his life, he compared his supporters to a “flaming torch” that withstands strong winds.
- Sons’ Unfiltered Film Reviews: When asked how his sons, Yatra and Linga, react to his movies, Dhanush laughed that they pull no punches: “They’re very harsh. If the film is good, I manage to escape. If it’s bad, they’re brutal in their reviews. I’m scared to ask them about my films.”
”There is this concept called the underdog. All my life, I’ve been an underdog. It’s a different kind of kick when an underdog becomes successful despite it all. My fans are like a flaming torch; they can withstand the wind. So, I will keep working silently.”
— Dhanush, at the O.M: Operation Mole Pre-Release Event
About ‘O.M: Operation Mole’
Written and directed by Rajkumar Periasamy and jointly produced by Wunderbar Films and RTake Studios, O.M: Operation Mole follows an undercover officer infiltrating a red sanders smuggling syndicate whose loyalties are put to the ultimate test. Alongside Dhanush, the ensemble cast features Mammootty, Sai Pallavi, Sreeleela, Naseeruddin Shah, and Indrans, with the film hitting cinemas nationwide on November 20.