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Last Updated:March 17, 2026, 11:59 IST
TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna's recent remarks that the DMK “threatened” Rajinikanth over entering politics has snowballed into a big controversy in Tamil politics and fan culture
TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna's recent remarks that the DMK “threatened” Tamil film superstar Rajinikanth when he tried to enter politics has snowballed into a big controversy in Tamil politics and the intense fan culture, with a prominent Rajinikanth fan club in Madurai putting up posters demanding an apology.
![Condemning Aadhav Arjuna's allegedly derogatory remarks, Madurai City District Rajinikanth Fans Association put up posters that said 'Pain, shame, insult' and 'Time won't speak but will definitely answer', and 'Let's meet on the field, it's over'. Rajinikanth's friend and retired police ADSP Kumaravel, Madurai City District Rajini Club Deputy Secretary Alagarsami, and City Rajini club administrator Bal. Namachivayan also met reporters. They recalled how in 1996, the superstar spoke out against then ruling party AIADMK. "Someone who has seen so much fame has nothing to fear. Even though Rajini is not in politics, we are still working for the people. Those who have just started a party should not provoke us," they said.](https://images.news18.com/ibnlive/uploads/2026/03/images_398398_1773726546.jpeg "Condemning Aadhav Arjuna's allegedly derogatory remarks, Madurai City District Rajinikanth Fans Association put up posters that said 'Pain, shame, insult' and 'Time won't speak but will definitely answer', and 'Let's meet on the field, it's over'. Rajinikanth's friend and retired police ADSP Kumaravel, Madurai City District Rajini Club Deputy Secretary Alagarsami, and City Rajini club administrator Bal. Namachivayan also met reporters. They recalled how in 1996, the superstar spoke out against then ruling party AIADMK. "Someone who has seen so much fame has nothing to fear. Even though Rajini is not in politics, we are still working for the people. Those who have just started a party should not provoke us," they said.")
Condemning Aadhav Arjuna's allegedly derogatory remarks, Madurai City District Rajinikanth Fans Association put up posters that said 'Pain, shame, insult' and 'Time won't speak but will definitely answer', and 'Let's meet on the field, it's over'. Rajinikanth's friend and retired police ADSP Kumaravel, Madurai City District Rajini Club Deputy Secretary Alagarsami, and City Rajini club administrator Bal. Namachivayan also met reporters. They recalled how in 1996, the superstar spoke out against then ruling party AIADMK. "Someone who has seen so much fame has nothing to fear. Even though Rajini is not in politics, we are still working for the people. Those who have just started a party should not provoke us," they said.
Addressing TVK members during a protest against the Tamil Nadu government on March 12, Aadhav Arjuna, TVK general secretary, alleged that the DMK threatened Rajinikanth when he tried to enter politics. Arjuna maintained that he was not criticising the actor but wanted to point out that TVK founder Vijay had the courage to withstand such pressure. His comments however drew spontaneous criticism from various quarters including Rajini’s fans.
![Rajinikanth’s former advisor Ra Arjunamurthy strongly condemned the remark and urged Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam founder Vijay to initiate action on Arjuna. Tamil Nadu Minister S Regupathy lashed out at TVK for the allegation and said the Vijay-led party was attempting to gain political mileage by uttering a “lie". Speaking to reporters, the minister said Rajini was a friend of the DMK and had voiced support for the party.](https://images.news18.com/ibnlive/uploads/2026/03/images_398397_1773726544.jpeg "Rajinikanth’s former advisor Ra Arjunamurthy strongly condemned the remark and urged Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam founder Vijay to initiate action on Arjuna. Tamil Nadu Minister S Regupathy lashed out at TVK for the allegation and said the Vijay-led party was attempting to gain political mileage by uttering a “lie". Speaking to reporters, the minister said Rajini was a friend of the DMK and had voiced support for the party.")
Rajinikanth’s former advisor Ra Arjunamurthy strongly condemned the remark and urged Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam founder Vijay to initiate action on Arjuna. Tamil Nadu Minister S Regupathy lashed out at TVK for the allegation and said the Vijay-led party was attempting to gain political mileage by uttering a “lie". Speaking to reporters, the minister said Rajini was a friend of the DMK and had voiced support for the party.
![Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran also condemned Arjuna's remarks, calling it "baseless allegations against Superstar Rajinikanth".](https://images.news18.com/ibnlive/uploads/2026/03/aadhav-arjuna-rajinikanth-remarks-vijay-controversy-2-2026-03-ee58c4211ecd674254951c16ba72b3ed.webp "Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran also condemned Arjuna's remarks, calling it "baseless allegations against Superstar Rajinikanth".")
Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran also condemned Arjuna's remarks, calling it "baseless allegations against Superstar Rajinikanth".
Rajinikanth fandoms have also accused Aadhav Arjuna of making the comments to distract attention from actor and TVK chief Vijay's alleged affair with actress Trisha Krishnan that is speculated to be the reason behind the former's ongoing divorce. “Rajinikanth is not someone who fears threats. He stepped away from politics during the pandemic considering the risk of infection spread at gatherings. He wanted to avoid loss of lives due to the virus,” Rajini’s fan club member S Ravi told reporters.
