Chennai: Superstar Rajinikanth has strongly denied rumours alleging that he engaged in behind-the-scenes political manoeuvring following the Tamil Nadu election results. Addressing a press meet at his residence in Chennai, he dismissed claims that he attempted to prevent actor Vijay from becoming Chief Minister or worked to broker a DMK–AIADMK alliance, calling the reports “baseless and demeaning.”
Rajinikanth clarified that his recent meeting with former Chief Minister M. K. Stalin was being misinterpreted. He stated that he has shared a 40-year personal friendship with Stalin, irrespective of political affiliations or ideology, and had visited him solely to offer personal consolation after the election outcome. He alleged that certain sections were deliberately twisting the context of the meeting.
"నేను రాజకీయాల్లోనే లేను, మరి #Vijay ని చూసి అసూయ ఎందుకు పడతాను..?
ఒకవేళ కమల్ సీఎం అయితే నాకు అసూయ కలగొచ్చు.. #Vijay కి నాకు మధ్య తరాల గ్యాప్ ఉంది..
మేమిద్దరం పోటీ పడితే ఇద్దరికీ అది బాగుండదు."
– సూపర్స్టార్ #Rajinikanth pic.twitter.com/cQEBCHdOqb
— Sai Satish (@PROSaiSatish) May 17, 2026
Praising actor Vijay’s political entry, Rajinikanth said Vijay had achieved significant success by contesting independently and described it as a reflection of the public’s desire for change. He compared Vijay’s impact to that of legendary leaders MGR and NTR, while asserting that he harboured no jealousy and had already extended his congratulations to Vijay on social media.
Rajinikanth further clarified that Vijay is not his political equal and remarked that had Kamal Haasan become Chief Minister, his reaction would have been different. Reiterating that he is not active in politics, he stated that had he entered politics in 2021, he would have won. He also advised cadres of Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to remain cautious, cautioning that even minor mistakes by workers could affect Vijay’s public image, while expressing confidence in his leadership.