When Simbu opened up about his rivalry with Dhanush

Silambarasan TR and Dhanush have shared a long-standing bond, both as friends and as professional rivals. Over the years, their relationship has gone through various phases, with speculation about competition between them. However, Simbu once clarified that while they are friends off-screen, they consider each other competitors in the film industry.

In an old interview, Silambarasan addressed the rumors of rivalry with Dhanush, explaining that there was no personal conflict between them. He emphasized that while they share a friendship, their professional lives are different. He viewed Dhanush as a strong competitor, believing that this healthy competition pushes both of them to improve their craft.

“Friendship is separate, and cinema is separate. In our profession, he is my opponent. I compete with him in films, and that’s how we grow,” he had said.

Silambarasan provided an example to explain his perspective. He shared that when Dhanush’s film Polladhavan became a hit, he felt motivated rather than envious. Seeing his peer succeed made him want to work harder and deliver an even bigger hit.

“When Polladhavan became successful, I felt happy—not just for him, but because it inspired me to do better. And when my movie does well, it should motivate him to make an even better film,” he explained.

Today, both Silambarasan and Dhanush have carved out their own successful paths in the industry. They have delivered multiple blockbuster films and continue to be among the top stars in Tamil cinema.

Simbu is gearing up for his next major project, Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan, along with other exciting ventures. Meanwhile, Dhanush has an impressive lineup, including Kuberaa, Idly Kadai and Tere Ishq Mein.