Tamil filmmaker Mari Selvaraj took to X to extend warm birthday greetings to Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. In his post, he wrote: "I extend my warmest birthday greetings to the Honorable Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri @Udhaystalin Sir, who has given me immense love and immense happiness since the day we first met."
The tribute reflects a bond that traces back to their collaboration on the 2023 film Maamannan, which marked Udhayanidhi Stalin’s acting swan song. The socially charged film, centered on caste dynamics and aligned with Dravidian values, fostered a close working relationship between the director and actor-turned-politician. Accompanying the post was a black-and-white photograph of the duo sharing a candid laugh, symbolizing the warmth and camaraderie developed during the film’s production.
While the post garnered largely positive engagement from fans and well-wishers, some responses expressed skepticism, suggesting that the tribute could reflect political favoritism given Mari Selvaraj’s progressive anti-caste stance and his association with the DMK.
Despite the debates, the post remains a public acknowledgment of the mutual respect and connection between the filmmaker and the Deputy Chief Minister.