'Extremely Shocked': Rajnikanth Reacts To Vijay Becoming Tamil Nadu CM, Clarifies Stalin Meeting

Last Updated:May 17, 2026, 11:08 IST

Rajinikanth clarified that his meeting with Stalin after the election results was purely personal and rooted in their longstanding friendship rather than politics

Actor Rajinikanth on Sunday broke his silence over criticism surrounding his post-election meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and reacted to actor-turned-politician Vijay becoming the state’s chief minister, saying he was “extremely shocked" by the development.

Addressing reporters at his Poes Garden residence in Chennai, Rajinikanth said he felt compelled to clarify his position, as criticism linked to his actions during the election period was increasingly being treated as fact.

“I am holding this press meet because many criticisms are being made about me in connection with the election. If I do not respond, they will become accepted as the truth," the veteran actor said.

Rajinikanth clarified that his meeting with Stalin after the election results was purely personal and rooted in their longstanding friendship rather than politics.

“After the election results, I met MK Stalin, and that became a subject of criticism. Our friendship is beyond politics. I felt saddened that MK Stalin was defeated in Kulathur," he said.

He added that he had immediately conveyed his congratulations to the newly elected chief minister after the results were announced.

The actor also spoke about Vijay’s emergence in Tamil Nadu politics following the election outcome. Reacting to Vijay assuming the chief minister’s post, Rajinikanth said the news came as a surprise to him.

“I was extremely shocked when I heard that Vijay had become the Chief Minister," he remarked, while reiterating that he had distanced himself from active politics years ago.

“I am not in politics anymore. It has been a long time since I stepped away from politics," he said.

Commenting on Vijay’s political rise, Rajinikanth noted that the younger actor had carved out an independent political identity despite entering a space historically dominated by Tamil Nadu’s two major Dravidian parties.

“There is a 28-year age difference between Vijay and me. Vijay has independently earned recognition by standing against the two major parties," he said.

The remarks come amid intense political discussions in Tamil Nadu following the Assembly election results, which significantly reshaped the state’s political landscape and renewed public focus on film personalities in politics.

Rajinikanth had announced in December 2020 that he would not enter electoral politics, citing health concerns, ending years of speculation about a possible political debut.

Despite staying away from electoral politics, he has continued to comment occasionally on political developments and maintained cordial ties across party lines in the state.

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