New Delhi, March 17 -- A political controversy involving Tamil cinema icon Rajinikanth and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Aadhav Arjuna has intensified, prompting a rare public response from the actor, who expressed gratitude to political leaders, members of the film fraternity and his fans for defending him against what he described as "slanderous" remarks.

In a strongly worded message shared on social media, Rajinikanth said, "I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who condemned his slanderous remarks and raised their voices in support of me: the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Edappadi Palaniswami; Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran; Union Minister L. Murugan; Tamil Nadu Min...