Actor Rajinikanth has dismissed speculation that he is jealous of actor-turned-politician Vijay becoming Chief Minister, saying he feels “happy with surprise” at the political outcome and the public mandate.
Referring to criticism after he met DMK leader M.K. Stalin when election results were announced, Rajinikanth said Stalin has been his friend for 38 years and that their relationship is beyond politics. He added that he felt personally saddened by Stalin’s defeat in Chennai’s Kolathur constituency and met him as a friend.
Rajinikanth said rumours that he met Stalin to block Vijay or to engineer an alliance between major parties were baseless. He also rejected claims that he did not congratulate Vijay, noting that he posted his wishes on X after Vijay’s victory.
Recalling a recent trip to Bengaluru, Rajinikanth said he smiled and walked away when someone informed him that Vijay had become Chief Minister, which later fuelled talk that he was jealous. He said he has stepped away from politics and questioned why he would be jealous when he is not in the political arena.
Praising Vijay’s achievement, Rajinikanth said there is a generational gap between them and that comparisons are unhelpful. He said Vijay, at 52, has achieved a major feat by winning against the BJP at the Centre and two major parties in the state, coming from the film industry.
Rajinikanth said young people have high expectations of Vijay and expressed confidence that he would meet them. He urged the public to give the new government two years to work, and cautioned Vijay’s supporters and fans that any missteps by them could directly affect the Chief Minister.
