'Thalapathy' Vijay's Varisu is one film that continues to generate massive interest and debate on social media as fans are eagerly waiting for the film's release in January 2023. The upcoming film directed by Vamshi Paidipally and also coming out in Telugu under the title Vaarasudu has already been announced for a grand Pongal release by producer Dil Raju's Sri Venkateswara Creations and expectations for the family entertainer are getting bigger with each passing day. Having said that, the talk surrounding the release of Varisu took a different turn after producer Dil Raju's statements in a recent interview with a Telugu news channel. The blockbuster Telugu film producer-distributor's comment describing Vijay as a bigger star than actor Ajith Kumar has sparked a huge debate among fans on social media.
Dil Raju had stated that there are around 800 screens in Tamil Nadu and an equal number of screens have been given for the release of his Varisu and Ajith's Thunivu, which is being distributed in the state by Udhayanidhi Stalin's Red Giant Movies. He had said that since Vijay is a bigger star, he would be requesting Udhayanidhi Stalin for additional screens. Meanwhile, Dil Raju on Friday, December 16, during the media interaction of the upcoming Telugu film, Balagam, was queried about the controversy after his statements about Vijay's Varisu and Ajith's Thunivu. The hit producer said, "I'm getting scared to talk to the people in the media. I don't know what I say will be made into a controversy. I had given an interview to a channel the day before yesterday, which was nearly 45 minutes. But, they took around 20 seconds from it and put it out. However, there are matters both before and after what's been put out. Everyone will understand if they watch the entire interview. This is my request to the media. I don't like to get involved in controversies by speaking high or low about someone. I only want to continue giving good cinema to the audiences."