Kanguva producer denies taking a jab at Rajinikanth’s Vettaiyan: 'I meant Akshay Kumar's Khel Khel Mein'

Producer KE Gnanavel Raja of Studio Green found himself in hot water over recent comments he made during a live session on X while interacting with fans of Suriya. Without naming any specific film, he mentioned that "a film with a big star cast didn’t get a good opening." Many were quick to assume he was referring to Superstar Rajinikanth's Vettaiyan.

Gnanavel’s vague remarks stirred controversy, drawing ire from Rajinikanth's fan base and sparking headlines. The big question: Did he just take a swipe at a Rajinikanth film?

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However, in a recent interview, Gnanavel clarified that his comments were not about Vettaiyan. He explained that he "was referring to Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar's recent film Khel Khel Mein."

Despite featuring a star-studded ensemble cast, including Fardeen Khan, Taapsee Pannu, Vaani Kapoor, Ammy Virk, Aditya Seal, and Pragya Jaiswal, Khel Khel Mein underperformed at the box office, becoming a commercial disappointment despite positive reviews from critics.

Meanwhile, Rajinikanth's Vettaiyan had relatively low pre-release buzz but managed to gross over Rs 70 crore on its debut. Despite mixed reviews, the film performed well in South Indian states, raking in about Rs 240 crore during its extended opening weekend.

It’s also worth noting that Gnanavel is a self-professed fan of Rajinikanth. His admiration for the superstar was one of the reasons he cited for postponing the release of Kanguva to avoid clashing with Vettaiyan at the box office on October 10.

Kanguva is Gnanavel's prestigious project, and he has thrown all his might behind it. It has been produced at a cost of about Rs 350 crore, making it the costliest film in Suriya's career. Gnanavel is also planning a wide release in North Indian states. 

Kanguva is set to release on November 14, with promotions already underway.

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