Aishwarya Rajinikanth Admits Success Of 'Kolaveri Di' Song Didn't Help Her Film

Aishwarya Rajinikanth's debut film '3' was hindered by the unanticipated success of the song 'Why This Kolaveri Di?'.

Dhanush and Shruti Haasan starred in '3'.

Source : X/@ash_rajinikanth & IMDb

New Delhi: Filmmaker Aishwarya Rajinikanth, known for her directorial debut '3', recently opened up about how the overwhelming success of the viral song 'Why This Kolaveri Di' overshadowed her film. In a recent interview while promoting her latest project 'Lal Salaam', Aishwarya disclosed that the massive popularity of the song added pressure and did not particularly benefit her debut film, '3', released in 2012.

'Why This Kolaveri Di' became a global sensation in 2011, marking the debut of music composer Anirudh Ravichander. The song, featuring Dhanush and Shruti Haasan, captivated audiences worldwide with its catchy blend of Tamil and English lyrics and Dhanush's unique singing style. Its widespread popularity catapulted Dhanush into the international spotlight, garnering millions of views on platforms like YouTube.

Aishwarya Rajinikanth On 'Why This Kolaveri Di'

Despite the song's immense success, Aishwarya Rajinikanth expressed that its overshadowing effect posed challenges for '3', which revolves around the protagonist's struggle with bipolar disorder. 

Reflecting on the impact of 'Why This Kolaveri Di', Aishwarya said, "We weren't prepared and it was a huge shock," in a recent interview with Rednool. “'Kolaveri Di' just happened in our lives. It (success) became a huge pressure on the film. More than a surprise, it was a shock for me."

Despite the song's immense success, Aishwarya Rajinikanth expressed that its overshadowing effect posed challenges for '3'. She added, "I was trying to tell a different story, but the song swallowed and overshadowed the film. It was very difficult for me (to accept). It was a serious film. Not many spoke about the film when it released. However, I received a lot of phone calls during its re-release and every time during its telecast." 

When asked why '3' didn't do better at the box office at the time, Aishwarya said it was because of 'Kolaveri Di'. In no way did the music enhance the movie.