Rajinikanth Says He Is Not 'Jealous' Of CM Vijay: 'I Would Have Won Elections If I Contested...'

Rajinikanth clarified his meeting with DMK chief MK Stalin following his party's defeat in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly election at a press conference on Sunday at his Poes Garden in Chennai. He claimed to have met the former chief minister as a friend, but it was misinterpreted as disapproval of Vijay becoming the next chief minister.

Rajinikanth Reacts To Vijay Becoming Tamil Nadu CM

Rajinikanth expressed his 'extreme shock' at learning that Vijay had been appointed chief minister. He went on to say that he has been out of politics for several years. The superstar added that Vijay has gained recognition on his own by opposing the two main political parties.

Rajinikanth said, "I was extremely shocked when I heard that Vijay had become the Chief Minister. I am not in politics; it has been many days since I stepped away from politics. There is a 28-year age difference between Vijay and me. Here, Vijay has independently earned recognition by standing against the two major parties."

ALSO READ - Rajinikanth's First Reaction To Thalapathy Vijay Becoming Tamil Nadu CM Goes Viral | WATCH

Rajinikanth: 'I Am Not Jealous Of Vijay'

Rajinikanth also responded to criticism regarding his response to Vijay's appointment as chief minister. "It was said that I did not congratulate Vijay at the airport. I posted my congratulations on X as soon as he won. I am not in politics. I have already left politics. When I am not in politics, why should I be jealous of him? What is destined for someone will happen, and what is not won't."

Superstar #Rajinikanth's Clarification:

I felt bad for Sir Stalin after losing in Kolathur.. So i Met him.. Rumours started spreading that I said Vijay shouldn’t become CM & that I was trying to merge Two parties.. Apdi Pesra Tharam ketta aal Rajini ila.. pic.twitter.com/bXWkQItltf

— Laxmi Kanth (@iammoviebuff007) May 17, 2026

ALSO READ - Vijay Meets MK Stalin In Chennai After Taking Oath As Tamil Nadu CM; See PHOTOS

Rajinikanth Clarifies Meeting With MK Stalin

Rajinikanth stated that he chose to conduct the news conference because, if he didn't respond to persistent allegations about his political views and his meeting with MK Stalin, it might be taken as fact.

Rajinikanth remarked, "Our friendship is beyond politics. I felt saddened that MK Stalin was defeated in Kulathur. Rajini is not a cheap or low-standard person to speak unnecessarily about anything else."

Rajinikanth's comments coincided with heated political debates in Tamil Nadu in the wake of the election results and shifting political dynamics between movie stars and the state's big political parties.