Actor Rajinikanth on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, issued a statement responding to remarks made by Aadhav Arjuna, the general secretary of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam led by actor Vijay, stating that the comments about him were untrue.
Arjuna had recently alleged in a speech that the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had threatened Rajinikanth when he considered entering politics and further claimed that the actor resumed his film career under the Red Giant Movies banner following pressure from the party. The remarks, made during a protest against the state government on March 12, drew criticism online, with several political leaders, journalists and others voicing support for the actor.
In his statement, Rajinikanth said, “Mr Aadhav Arjuna, who holds a leadership position in the TVK, recently made a statement about me that was contrary to the truth.”
He went on to thank leaders across parties who condemned the remarks and extended their support, including Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran, Union Minister L. Murugan, Tamil Nadu Minister S. Raghupathy, Thol. Thirumavalavan, S. P. Velumani, K. Annamalai, Arjunamurthy, Anbumani Ramadoss, G. K. Vasan, John Pandian and others.
He also acknowledged support from members of the film industry, including Ameer Sultan and G. Dhananjayan, as well as media personalities such as Nakkeeran Gopal and Rangaraj Pandey, and his fans.
“I also extend my gratitude to friends from the film industry, including Ameer and G. Dhananjayan, as well as to media personalities Nakkheeran Gopal and Rangaraj Pandey and all members of the media. Above all, I thank my fans, the very deities who sustain me, with all my heart,” the statement said.
He concluded with the line, “Time does not speak, but it waits and delivers the answer.”
Rajinikanth signed off the statement with, “Long live Tamil Nadu! Long live the Tamil people!! Jai Hind!!!”
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) March 17, 2026
What Did Aadhav Arjuna Say?
Speaking at the protest, Arjuna said that after MG Ramachandran (MGR), Rajinikanth had been one of the most popular figures who had intended to enter politics in Tamil Nadu.
“After MGR, Rajinikanth wanted to emerge as a prominent leader in Tamil Nadu. He wanted to change the system, do everything needed through politics. But this very DMK family issued multiple threats and made sure he never got to launch a political party. See what happened to him in the end – he went and acted in a Red Giant (Udhayanidhi Stalin’s production house) film. There is no personal criticism of him. I am putting it on record that the mental strength, that resolve, exists in our leader,” Arjuna said.
Arjuna added that Tamil Nadu required political change and proceeded to refer to several leaders who, according to him, had attempted to challenge the DMK but eventually aligned with it.
“Tamil Nadu needs a change. Let me go one by one through all the leaders who said they would bring change and what happened to them. MDMK leader Vaiko, when he started his party, stood tall speaking out about many problems within the DMK. Today? Four seats and even in that, three seats with the Rising Sun symbol and one with their own symbol. What kind of alliance is this? We don’t understand it at all. Today, brother Thol. Thirumavalavan campaigned hard against DMK in 2014. Even he couldn’t do it. In the end, he too joined the alliance. Similarly, all leaders including brother Kamal Haasan, he started a party, smashed TVs and everything. But even he couldn’t do it. We are not belittling him, he too went back, joined DMK, and started acting in a Red Giant film. Then there’s O. Panneerselvam, he was Chief Minister, he was Amma’s most loyal follower, a man who was CM three times; today he has joined Stalin sir. Look at the power of their money. Everyone can be bought. Everyone can be threatened. But in Tamil Nadu, there is one leader who cannot be threatened, who cannot be bought, one uncompromised leader and that is our leader Vijay, and only him,” Arjuna said.
ரஜினியை மிரட்டிய திமுக! ஆதவ் அர்ஜுன் கடும் தாக்கு | DMK | MK Stalin | Rajinikanth | Kamalhaasan |#dmk | #mkstalin | #rajinikanth | #kamalhaasan | #dmkalliance | #vaiko | #ops | #aadhavarjuna | #tvk | #vijay | #ilayabharatham | #ibnews | pic.twitter.com/RJ3XijLdVG
— Ilaya Bharatham (@IBharatham) March 12, 2026
Arjuna also asserted that Vijay had the mental strength to withstand criticism and political pressure. “Even when personal criticism was directed at Vijay, he did not remain silent at home in fear,” he had said.
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