AIADMK spokesperson and IT Wing chief Kovai Sathyan has sharply criticized actor Rajinikanth for his recent remarks lauding Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during a high-profile event held on 13 September 2025, to honor legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja on his 50-year journey in the film industry.
During the event, Rajinikanth praised Stalin’s leadership, stating that the Chief Minister appears well-prepared for the 2026 Assembly elections. He went on to describe Stalin as a rising figure in national politics, asserting that the DMK leader is not just challenging the central government but also both emerging and established political adversaries.
He said, “I first want to extend my greetings to the Chief Minister and my esteemed friend, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin, who is a star in Indian politics and a challenge to both the parties ruling India as well as the new and old opposition in Tamil Nadu politics, acting with his own confident smile, “Let’s see in ’26.”
However, these remarks did not sit well with many netizens and political observers. Critics on social media accused Rajinikanth of lacking courage and accused him of conveniently aligning himself with the ruling DMK ahead of the upcoming elections.
Kovai Sathyan, taking to his official X account, issued a scathing response. He alleged that the film industry in Tamil Nadu has long been influenced, if not controlled, by Stalin’s family, and Rajinikanth’s public endorsement was more about self-preservation than genuine admiration.
He stated, “The film industry, which is under the control of Stalin’s family, and the top actors within it being under the control of the DMK government, is nothing new. But is Rajinikanth’s public praise of M. K. Stalin on stage today an expression of fear or concern for his film career especially after he stood up and applauded when Thala Ajith spoke about this very issue in front of Karunanidhi?”
In a pointed video message, Sathyan questioned the veteran actor’s motives, “I have a question for our superstar, the esteemed Rajinikanth. Whenever the DMK comes to power, they completely take over the film industry. It’s true that every film celebrity and star is a little scared now, with M. K. Stalin’s family taking over everything, from production to distribution. But this has been happening for ages. This has been happening since the time of Karunanidhi. It’s a daily occurrence that when the DMK comes to power, film personalities are pressured to attend events and then made to sing their praises.”
He recalled a past incident when Thala Ajith publicly applauded Rajinikanth for taking a stand and refusing to flatter Karunanidhi, implying that the superstar has now backtracked. “When the same Karunanidhi asked you to sing his praises, our Thala (Ajith) stood up and clapped when you openly spoke on stage. But today, look at your situation. The difference between words that come from the heart and words that are said falsely is well known to everyone. And for a film star like you to say it is… You, who should be a role model, were pressured, threatened, and afraid, so you went on stage and spoke like this, singing praises. It has become a laughingstock.”
Sathyan concluded by urging Rajinikanth to reclaim his dignity, “From now on, you are a top actor. You have your own respect and dignity. We hope and expect that you will at least be a little brave, if not like Thala, and speak the truth on stage.”
ஸ்டாலின் குடும்பத்தின் ஆதிக்கத்தில் இருக்கும் திரை துறை, அந்த துறையில் இருக்கும் அனைத்து முன்னனி நடிகர்களும் திமுக ஆட்சி நடக்கும்போது கட்டுப்பாட்டில் இருப்பது புதிதல்ல.
ஆனால் தல அஜித் இதை கருணாநிதி முன்னர் சொன்ன போது எழுந்து நின்று கை தட்டிய ரஜினிகாந்த் இன்று முகஸ்டாலினை… pic.twitter.com/20i2dlHhOo
— Kovai Sathyan (@KovaiSathyan) September 14, 2025
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.