Chinmayi Sripaada was once a renowned playback singer cum dubbing artiste in the Tamil film industry. Her 2018 coming-out as a victim of Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu's sleazy advances put her Kollywood career on a back-burner, and earned her a ban from the South Indian Cine, Television Artistes And Dubbing Artists Union (SICTADAU), also known as the Dubbing Union.
Chinmayi currently resides in Hyderabad, Telangana with her actor-husband Rahul Ravindran, and keeps in touch with her Tamil fan-base via social media platforms like X. On Saturday evening, Chinmayi took everyone by surprise by making a rare appearance in a Tamil film event.
Thug Life starring and co-produced by Kamal Haasan had an audio launch event on Saturday, at the Sai Ram Engineering college at Chennai. Chinmayi who between 2023-2024 has been critical of Kamal Haasan on multiple occasions, has now worked under his banner Raaj Kamal Films International's payroll, lending voices to the Hindi and Telugu version of a Tamil song titled Muththa Mazhai.
Muththa Mazhai from Thug Life is originally sung by Dhee, but it was Chinmayi who performed the live version of the AR Rahman composition at the Thug Life audio launch. It is worth mentioning here that Chinmayi has also been critical of Thug Life director and co-producer Mani Ratnam, as singer Karthik, who had been named in multiple #MeToo allegations, was part of his production—the Netflix anthology Navarasa (2020).
Regardless, Chinmayi's live performance of Muththa Mazhai won hearts, and tweets post her stunning live showcased the following sentiments:
Disagree with chinmayi on most issues but it's a shame that she's still unable to sing in Tamil despite the backing of big names like ARR, Anirudh, Lokesh (director)
— Sudhir Srinath (@SudhirSrinath) May 25, 2025
Hai rama ( rangeela) + Idhayam (kochadaiyan) renduthoda vibes um intha paatula kedaikuthu...
— karthik AR (@karthick_77) May 25, 2025
I hope they release this version officially too. This is too good🔥
— NIVETH Kumar (@NIVETHKumar18) May 25, 2025
Chinmayi version is lit 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/CZESQNZi9W
— Rengaraj (@rengaraj18694) May 25, 2025
When Chinmayi goes "Jaanu Dum Maaro Dum Dum" pic.twitter.com/7UqK8RvhYK
— Yoke (Offline) (@YokeshCR1) May 25, 2025
Muththa Mazhai Chinmayi Version 🙂↕️pic.twitter.com/a8ZArU6crj
— 𝘼𝙉𝘼𝙉𝘿 ᴮᴱᴺᶻ (@AnandBruhhh) May 25, 2025
Really kind. I ll be happy to teach her the sangatis just for joy.
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) May 25, 2025
Its humbling to called this generation’s Chitra ma but it is a bit much I feel :) Avlo scene enakku illa ❤️
As for my situation the karma has to be suffered. Nothing more nothing less. https://t.co/xcITSKiuBC
MR and ARR dissociating with VM
— L🇪🇦🐘 (@lilly8004) May 25, 2025
AND CHINMAYI getting all the appreciation
Feels like A MAJOR WIN
YOU GO QUEEN 👑💝 🔥 https://t.co/eGtIpnLT8j
#Chinmayi She will never miss any chance to mock KH whenever got chance.
— RajKamal (@Suryadev2004) May 26, 2025
But, look at #KamalHaasan𓃵
He just sitting there enjoying every moment while she is performing.
Whatta personality.
pic.twitter.com/Ft1ij0uk1H
He literally made her to sing in 2 other languages?!
— Thejas Narayan (@HarishNarayan08) May 26, 2025
Chinmayi’s ban is the industry’s loss da vennaigala 😑 It’s crazy how everyone is working around it and not against it. More power and love to you @Chinmayi ❤️🫂✨
— Kaush (@Kaush__Sings) May 25, 2025
This ❤️. She truly doesn’t deserve a Ban for calling out a predator. She has absolutely nailed the Tamil version here.
— அறவோன் ஃ (@KPRJGhostEelam) May 25, 2025
The voice and the subtle nuances in her rendition, what a gifted Singer @Chinmayi is. I hope she gets to Sing more such soul stirring compositions. https://t.co/S2BGuikjHb
Maybe some of you well-meaning ones become Producers Directors and actors urgently?
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) May 26, 2025
Perhaps I can make up for the lost 2018 onwards years of my career.
😁 https://t.co/TVbpFFs8SL
The @Chinmayi version of Muththa Mazhai is astoundingly lovely because she's one of those rare blessed voices that elevate every melody. But I don't understand the hate towards Dhee, because I LOVED the nasal, folk flavour and that distinctive retro twang she brings to the song! pic.twitter.com/ILHl8p2bKx
— PrayRona (@PrayRona_) May 25, 2025
Dhee’s version of #MuththaMazhai is unique and fresh but Chinmayi’s version is just pic.twitter.com/B7GCCxzFBj
— Govin Raaj (@g0vin) May 25, 2025
Also, all of you asking for Chinmayi’s version of Mutha Mazhai, your innocence is so cute. It is highly likely that what we are hearing in the Thug Life audio release event is studio recording only, hence consider officially released. pic.twitter.com/UclF4VKqCX
— Sureshkumar P. Sekar (@ursmusically) May 25, 2025
Thug Life also starring Silambarasan TR, Trisha, Abhirami, Ashok Selvan, Nasser, Joju George, among others releases in theaters on June 5, 2025. SaReGaMa holds the audio rights to Thug Life in all languages.