Dismissing widespread political rumors, megastar Rajinikanth addressed the media at his Poes Garden residence in Chennai on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
The veteran actor broke his silence on heavily circulating social media narratives concerning his relationship with the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government and its leader, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. Rajinikanth asserted that he felt compelled to clear the air before fabricated political theories began to be accepted as facts by the public.
Friendship Beyond Politics
The cinematic icon firmly rejected claims that his recent meeting with former Chief Minister MK Stalin was part of a covert political strategy to undermine Vijay’s transition into power. Explaining that his bond with the DMK chief spans nearly four decades, Rajinikanth noted that the visit was purely a personal gesture to comfort a longtime friend following a tough election cycle.
No Room for Envy: Praising Vijay’s Historic Political Milestone
Addressing separate social media backlash that accused him of intentionally ignoring Vijay at the airport or failing to congratulate him, Rajinikanth clarified that he had publicly shared his warmest wishes on X (formerly Twitter) immediately following the TVK’s historic victory. Having entirely stepped away from his own political aspirations years ago, the superstar questioned why anyone would assume he harbors envy toward a younger colleague’s historic rise.
| Parameter | Rajinikanth’s Perspective on Political Dynamics |
| Generation Gap | Noted a 25-year age difference, stating comparisons between them serve neither star well. |
| Historical Feat | Credited the 52-year-old CM for achieving a momentous victory faster than cinema legends MGR or NTR. |
| The Verdict | Praised Vijay’s ability to defeat entrenched legacy Dravidian parties and the BJP completely on his own. |
A Changing Tide in Tamil Nadu’s Political Landscape
The press meet arrives on the heels of a massive shift in Tamil Nadu politics, where Vijay’s TVK broke the decades-long bilateral dominance of the DMK and AIADMK by securing 93 seats in the Legislative Assembly elections. After proving his majority with legislative backing from allies including the Congress and Left parties, Vijay officially took the oath as Chief Minister on May 10, 2026.
Concluding his address with a note of optimism, Rajinikanth smiled and added that while he might jokingly feel a twinge of jealousy if his contemporary Kamal Haasan ever won the top seat, he has nothing but immense pride, surprise, and high expectations for Chief Minister Vijay’s governance.