STR was supposed to do the super hit film, Ko originally but he backed out for various reasons and Jiiva got the part. Fans kindled the flames of this issue by saying that STR had not really lost out as Ko did nothing for Jiiva. Later Jiiva flippant replies at a press conference when journos insisted on asking about STR brought the simmering tension to a boil. Jai jumped into the fray and said that Jiiva had done STR a great injustice. Jiiva clarified and said that he had been misquoted and harbored no ill will against STR.

STR himself refused to comment on the issue and only requested his fans to stop butchering Ko and Jiiva.