At the grand audio launch of 'Thug Life,' a performance of the song “Muththa Mazhai” by singer Chinmayi set social media buzzing. Though the Tamil version of the song in the actual film was sung by Dhee, Chinmayi’s live rendition received massive applause from the audience. This unexpected praise sparked a wave of comparisons online, with fans debating whose version was better. The buzz soon escalated into a full-blown fan clash, with groups supporting either Dhee or Chinmayi, flooding platforms like X (formerly Twitter) with edits, opinions, and heated takes.
Chinmayi’s calm clarification
Amid this growing online debate, Chinmayi stepped in with a measured and thoughtful response. In a recent interview with The Hindu, she clarified that Dhee was originally scheduled to perform at the audio launch, but couldn’t attend due to being out of town. Chinmayi filled in last-minute and was stunned by the overwhelming appreciation she received. Humbly acknowledging the support, she said, “I couldn’t have performed this song the same way when I was 20. Vocal maturity comes with time.” She also praised Dhee, calling her voice unique and emphasizing that there’s no rivalry between them.
On the song and singer choices
'Muththa Mazhai,' composed by A.R. Rahman, is one of the standout tracks from 'Thug Life,' a film that marks Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam ’s reunion after 35 years. The decision to have Dhee sing the Tamil version appears to be a creative one, likely to give the track a fresh, distinct tone that matches the film’s contemporary style. Meanwhile, Chinmayi’s version showcased classic playback finesse, making both versions artistically valuable in their own right.
Chinmayi's message of positivity
Chinmayi concluded her statement with encouragement for younger artists, saying, “Dhee is immensely talented and could surpass 100 Chinmayis or Shreya Ghoshals in the next 15 years.” Her response not only cooled down fan tensions but also reminded everyone of the importance of supporting art over comparison.