Actor Rajinikanth on 17 May 2026 addressed the media to respond to a series of criticisms and rumours that had circulated following the Tamil Nadu Assembly election results, including allegations regarding his meeting with MK Stalin, his reaction to Joseph Vijay becoming Chief Minister, and speculation over political jealousy.
Rajinikanth said he decided to speak publicly because the allegations were being repeatedly amplified on social media and political platforms. He explained that he had initially planned to address the press either during his Bengaluru trip or at a scheduled Kerala film shoot, but both opportunities failed to materialize before the shoot itself was postponed.
“I Went To See Stalin As A Friend”
Addressing criticism over his post-election meeting with Stalin, Rajinikanth said the DMK leader had been his friend for nearly four decades and that the visit had nothing to do with political manoeuvring.
He stated that although elections naturally produce winners and losers, he personally felt saddened by Stalin’s defeat in the Kolathur constituency and therefore visited him purely out of friendship.
Rejecting speculation that the visit was intended to prevent Vijay from becoming Chief Minister or entering politics, Rajinikanth said rumours had spread claiming he was trying to engineer an alliance between major parties to stop Vijay’s rise. He dismissed the allegation, asking whether anyone would engage in such political discussions under those circumstances and asserting that he was not “an unprincipled person” who would behave in that manner.
Explains Viral Airport Video
Rajinikanth also responded to criticism that he had failed to congratulate Vijay after the election victory. He clarified that he had posted his congratulations on X immediately after the result but that controversy arose from an airport interaction before his Bengaluru departure.
According to Rajinikanth, he had asked airport staff whether any media personnel were present and was told there were none. He said that while he was leaving, a person holding a small mobile phone unexpectedly approached him and informed him that Vijay had become Chief Minister. Rajinikanth said he smiled casually without realising the interaction was being recorded on video, after which criticism spread online claiming he had not conveyed his wishes.
“Why Would I Be Jealous Of Vijay?”
Responding to rumours that he was jealous of Vijay’s political success, Rajinikanth said he had already stepped away from politics and therefore had no reason to feel envy.
He said, “Another criticism was that I am jealous of Vijay. I am no longer in politics; I have withdrawn from politics. When I am not in politics, why should I be jealous of him? Maybe if Kamal Haasan had become Chief Minister I might or might not have felt jealous – I do not know – but even then it might not have arisen; it may or may not have. There is also a generational gap of almost 25 years between Vijay and me. I have already said: if I compare myself with Vijay, it will be bad for me; if he compares himself with me, it will be good for him. I have watched him since he was very young. Why should I have any problem with him becoming Chief Minister?”
He added, “Moreover, at such a young age of 52, what he has done surpasses even the achievements of MGR and NTR, who created history at that age. He has completely defeated two major parties here and also the very powerful BJP at the Centre, and has won as a single leader coming from the film industry. I have no jealousy; on the contrary, I feel a surprised happiness and admiration – “Ah, who is this!” – a kind of appreciative surprise. I definitely have no jealousy towards him. There are very big expectations on Vijay from people; I strongly believe he will live up to those expectations and do good for the people, and I wish him well.”
On Missing Politics
When asked about claims by fans that he could have become Chief Minister had he entered politics earlier, Rajinikanth said he had already explained in detail why he ultimately stayed away from politics and why events unfolded as they did.
On the future of his fan associations, he reiterated that supporters were free to join any political party or pursue any political path they desired. He stressed that politics was fundamentally different from acting, describing it as an enormous responsibility involving the lives of crores of people.
Advice To Vijay And Fans
Referring to Kamal Haasan’s recent meeting with the Chief Minister regarding film industry demands, Rajinikanth said organised film bodies such as the Nadigar Sangam should collectively approach the government whenever necessary.
Offering advice to Vijay, Rajinikanth said expectations from the new Chief Minister were extremely high, but he believed Vijay would understand and respond appropriately. He urged the public to give Vijay at least one or two years to govern without excessive pressure.
He also cautioned Vijay’s cadres and fans to behave responsibly, warning that any mistake committed by supporters would directly affect the Chief Minister politically.
“After 60 Years, A Non-Dravidian Party Is Ruling”
Rajinikanth described Vijay’s rise as a major political shift in Tamil Nadu, saying that after six decades, a non-Dravidian party had come to power in the state. He said people had been seeking change and that Vijay had arrived at the right moment to represent it.
He credited cinema with playing a decisive role in Vijay’s success and said youth, women and social media had all strongly backed him.
Swearing-In Ceremony And “Missed Bus” Remark
On criticism that he did not attend Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony, Rajinikanth said he had never made it a practice to attend swearing-in functions as a special guest. He recalled that he had also not attended former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s 1996 swearing-in ceremony because he had been abroad at the time, though he later met Karunanidhi personally to convey his wishes.
Finally, when asked whether failing to launch a political party in 2001 had been a mistake, Rajinikanth said he had “100 percent” confidence that he would have won if he had entered politics then, but acknowledged that one could say he “missed that bus.”
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