A political controversy involving Tamil cinema icon Rajinikanth and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Aadhav Arjuna has intensified, prompting a rare public response from the actor, who expressed gratitude to political leaders, members of the film fraternity and his fans for defending him against what he described as “slanderous” remarks.
In a strongly worded message shared on social media, Rajinikanth said, “I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who condemned his slanderous remarks and raised their voices in support of me: the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Edappadi Palaniswami; Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran; Union Minister L. Murugan; Tamil Nadu Minister Raghupathy; Thol. Thirumavalavan; SP Velumani; my friend Annamalai; Arjunamurthy; Anbumani Ramadoss; GK Vasan. John Pandian; Pugazhendhi; and various other political leaders from different parties. I also extend my sincere thanks to Ameer, G. Dhananjayan, and my friends from the film fraternity; to Nakkeeran Gopal, Rangaraj Pandey (Chanakyaa), and members of the media; and, above all, to my fans—whom I revere as deities—for sustaining and uplifting me. Time doesn’t speak, but it waits and gives the answer”
What Triggered the Controversy
The dispute was set off by remarks from Aadhav Arjuna, general secretary of TVK, who alleged during a protest on March 12 that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) had “threatened” Rajinikanth when the actor contemplated entering politics.
Arjuna, however, attempted to soften the statement, asserting that his intention was not to criticize the actor but to underscore the resilience of TVK founder Vijay. He said Vijay had the courage to withstand similar pressures.
