Director Ram Gopal Varma ’s recent remarks on Rajinikanth ’s acting style have sparked a debate on social media.

Known for his outspoken opinions, RGV questioned whether Rajinikanth should be considered as a 'great actor' or primarily a 'star performer'. He pointed out the fundamental difference between acting and stardom, stating that while actors embody characters, stars captivate audiences with their larger-than-life presence.

According to Varma, Rajinikanth has always been celebrated as a superstar rather than for his versatility as an actor. He further questioned whether the actor could portray intense roles like Bhiku Mhatre from 'Sathya' and whether he could exist on screen without his iconic slow-motion walk. While acknowledging that fans find joy in simply watching him walk on screen, elevating their experience to something almost divine, he suggested that Rajinikanth's immense stardom makes it challenging to take on realistic and 'ordinary roles'. He further argued that the audience's perception of the actor as a larger-than-life figure limits his ability to play grounded characters.

He further went on to state that Rajinikanth thrives in roles specifically designed for a superstar, where his presence alone is enough to carry the film. He also emphasized that fans do not expect him to lose himself in a character but rather to showcase his trademark style, which is what makes him an irreplaceable icon in Indian cinema .

Varma extended this critique to Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan , stating that audiences worship him in the same way they do Rajinikanth, making it difficult for him to also convincingly portray simple, everyday characters. He even went as far as to criticize certain performances by Bachchan, claiming that in some films, he 'overacted' to the point where his performances became 'hard to watch'.

Ram Gopal Varma's comments have triggered mixed reactions, with some agreeing with his perspective while others defending the screen legends and their acting abilities.