A heartwarming throwback video of actor Dhanush sharing a playful moment with his son, Lingaa, has gone viral on social media, even as the actor faces criticism over a recent motivational speech that sparked plagiarism allegations online.
The resurfaced clip features Dhanush affectionately telling his son, “Lingaa baby… If you are bad, I am your dad,” a humorous twist on his popular dialogue from the 2018 hit film Maari 2. Fans have widely shared the video, calling it one of the actor’s sweetest off-screen moments and celebrating the father-son bond.
The clip has gained fresh attention amid an online debate surrounding a motivational anecdote Dhanush shared during a blood donation camp organised by his fan club.
During his address, the actor encouraged fans to continue participating in social service activities and narrated an incident involving video games with his son. Dhanush recalled that he would usually let Lingaa win one game after winning the first two. However, on one occasion, he won every game, prompting his son to insist on playing again until he finally secured a victory. Dhanush said the experience taught him the importance of perseverance and never giving up until success is achieved.
Soon after the speech went viral, several social media users claimed the story closely resembled a well-known motivational speech by internationally recognised speaker Les Brown, who had shared a similar anecdote about intentionally losing games to encourage his child.
Videos comparing Dhanush’s speech with Brown’s earlier address quickly circulated online, with some users alleging that both the narrative and presentation appeared strikingly similar. The comparisons triggered memes, criticism and discussions across social media platforms.
However, others defended the actor, arguing that motivational stories are frequently retold in different contexts and that the underlying message of resilience matters more than the story’s origin. Some users also pointed out that similar life lessons are often shared by public speakers worldwide.
Amid the ongoing debate, the viral father-son video has offered a lighter perspective, drawing attention away from the controversy and highlighting Dhanush’s affectionate relationship with Lingaa. Fans have continued to share the clip, praising the actor’s candid family moments and the nostalgic reference to his blockbuster film Maari 2.
The contrasting reactions underscore how older celebrity moments often resurface during periods of public scrutiny, with social media simultaneously amplifying both criticism and appreciation.
