‘RMV could not object… Jayalalithaa removed him from cabinet’: Rajinikanth

Chennai: Superstar Rajinikanth has spoken candidly about a pivotal moment that shaped his political stance against the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Describing the incident as both deeply unsettling and unforgettable, Rajinikanth made the revelation in a video tribute to the late film producer and politician RM Veerappan, popularly known as RMV.

The actor recounted an incident that took place in 1995, during the 100th-day celebration of his blockbuster film Baashha. The event was attended by RM Veerappan, who was a cabinet minister at the time.

While delivering a speech at the function, Rajinikanth said he unintentionally sparked a political controversy by criticising the state government — unaware that a minister was present on stage. "At the time, I was not fully aware of the implications," he recalled. "Because I criticised the government and RMV did not object, Jayalalithaa removed him from the cabinet."

The actor said the aftermath of the event left him sleepless. "That night, I couldn’t sleep. I couldn't get in touch with RMV. The next morning, I called him to apologise," Rajinikanth said. "But he brushed it off completely. He told me to forget about it and instead asked about the shooting schedule of my film. He behaved as though nothing had happened."

"That incident became a scar within me," Rajinikanth admitted. "A scar that will never heal, because I was the last to speak at the event. RMV had no opportunity to respond. When I asked if he could explain the situation to the Chief Minister, he said Jayalalithaa would not reverse her decision. He also told me not to associate his name with the matter anymore."

Rajinikanth described RM Veerappan as "a good man and a true kingmaker", praising his grace and composure during a politically difficult moment.

In the same video, the actor also acknowledged that his political opposition to Jayalalithaa was influenced by multiple factors, and this particular incident played a significant role in shaping his perspective.