Rajinikanth Denies Politics, Rivalry After Meeting Stalin in Chennai

Actor Rajinikanth, speaking in Chennai on Sunday, dismissed speculation that his recent meeting with former Tamil Nadu chief minister M. K. Stalin was politically motivated or that he was jealous of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s rise. Addressing reporters at his Poes Garden residence, Rajinikanth said he held the news conference because criticisms circulating online and in political circles were being linked to the outcome of the April 23 assembly elections.

Rajinikanth said he met Stalin after the election results and insisted their relationship “is beyond politics.” He also rejected allegations that the meeting was aimed at preventing Vijay from becoming chief minister or facilitating any broader political arrangements. Rajinikanth said he was saddened by Stalin’s defeat in the Kolathur constituency and met him as a friend, adding that in a democracy election wins and losses are common.

On the question of Vijay’s success, Rajinikanth denied any rivalry and pointed to a 25-year age gap between them. He praised Vijay’s record at a young age, saying the achievements at 52 surpassed those of film icons M. G. Ramachandran and N. T. Rama Rao, who later became chief ministers in...