Rajinikanth's first reaction to Thalapathy Vijay's maanaadu: 'It's a big success...'

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth reacted on Thursday to Thalapathy Vijay's first political meeting in Viluppuram. While sharing his Deepavali wishes with the public, he noted that Vijay's maanaadu (public meeting) was a huge success.

"TVK's maanaadu is definitely a big success, and my best wishes to him (Thalapathy Vijay)," he told reporters.

ALSO READ: Vettaiyan OTT release date confirmed: When, where to stream Rajinikanth's cop drama

However, Rajinikanth refrained from commenting further on the issues Vijay addressed at the meeting.

Rajinikanth has long been an influential figure, not only in Tamil cinema but also in Indian politics. In the 90s, there was a significant movement urging him to enter politics, but Rajinikanth showed restraint, resisting the temptation to leverage his stardom for political gains. After decades of speculation, he announced his intent to contest the Tamil Nadu elections in 2021. However, unforeseen circumstances prevented this.

Rajinikanth ultimately withdrew from the race at the height of the second COVID wave. Following a kidney transplant, he had been on immunosuppressant medication, which made him vulnerable to infections. Recognizing the demands of electoral politics, he decided to end his political ambitions.

Rajinikanth initially planned to step in and fill the power void left by the passing of former AIADMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. Now, Vijay appears to be eyeing a similar role in Tamil Nadu politics, which seems ready for a new political force.

Earlier this year, Vijay launched the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) and announced he would quit acting to fully dedicate himself to public service. "I left my film career at its peak, giving up the perks of fame and salary, to serve the public," Vijay declared at his maanaadu, which saw an unprecedented turnout.

Enjoy 35+ OTTs like ZEE5, LionsgatePlay, Ullu, SunNXT, SonyLIV, Fancode and 250+ Live TV channels at just ₹99