Silambarasan TR will be bestowed with an honorary doctorate from Vels University for his distinguished excellence in the field of cinema on January 11, 2022. The flamboyant multi-talented star will now be joining the league of big Tamil cinema names like 'Puratchi Thalaivar' M. G. Ramachandran, 'Nadigar Thilagam' Sivaji Ganesan, 'Ulaganayagan' Kamal Haasan, 'Thalapathy' Vijay, 'Chiyaan' Vikram to name a notable few who have been conferred with such similar honorary doctorates in the past. Addressing the big honor for Simbu, Dr. Ishari K Ganesh, founder, chairman, and Chancellor of Vels University, who is also producing the actor's upcoming Tamil film Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu being directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, issued an official statement on Saturday explaining the reasons for the distinction. 

Dr. Ishari said, "We are immensely delighted in presenting the esteemed actor Silambarasan TR with an honorary doctorate, as an acknowledgment of his outstanding talent and great efforts in the field of cinema. We at Vels University have a panel of committee members that research the achievements of eminent personalities from various fields. This year, the committee members have unanimously decided that actor Silambarasan TR would be the worthy recipient of this honorary doctorate. I would like to clarify that it has nothing to do with the fact that the actor is a part of movies produced by Vels Film International. Very few actors are acclaimed as Destiny’s child, and Silambarasan TR is a befitting exemplification. He will be soon turning 39, and he embarked on his journey in the film industry when he was just 6 months old. It’s a rare scenario to see an actor's age and his years of journey, in the film industry being the same. We steadfastly believe that such an accomplishment needs good recognition, and hence, we are acknowledging through this honorary doctorate." He further added, "Tamil cinema has been a blessed land of talented actors and technicians, who have unceasingly worked beyond brilliance, thereby bringing honor to the region on Pan-Indian and International platforms. I am glad that actor Silambarasan TR is undoubtedly the amalgamation of actor and technician, for his multifaceted avatars as an actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, playback singer, music director, and producer is very well known to the world of cinema." 

This latest status of merit will no doubt come as a major boost for Simbu, who ended 2021 on a high note with his Maanaadu turning out to be a massive winner at the box office. As for his upcoming ventures in 2022, apart from Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu, the actor is also shooting for Pathu Thala in which he will be seen playing the role of a gangster. STR had also announced Corona Kumar with director Gokul of Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara and Kaashmora fame, with production set to kick off soon.