Rajinikanth Reveals Root Of Rift With Jayalalithaa In Tribute To RM Veerappan: 'This Is Why I Stood Against Her'
The rift between the two prominent figures, 'Superstar' Rajinikanth and former CM J Jayalalithaa, had made headlines several times even in the 1990s.
'Superstar' Rajinikanth has opened up about the long-rumoured tension between himself and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, attributing a key turning point in their relationship to an incident involving late minister and film producer RM Veerappan.
In a newly released documentary marking Veerappan’s death anniversary, Rajinikanth recounted how Jayalalithaa removed RM Veerappan from his ministerial post after a controversial public comment made by the actor. The event took place during the 100th-day celebration of Baashha, a film produced by Sathya Movies, Veerappan’s production company.
Rajinikanth's Remark On 'Bomb Culture'
While addressing the gathering, Rajinikanth warned about the rise of "bomb culture" in Tamil Nadu, expressing concern that the trend could turn the state into a “graveyard.” At the time, Jayalalithaa was present on the stage alongside Veerappan. According to Rajinikanth, the fallout from his remarks led to Veerappan’s removal from office—a move that deeply upset the actor.
Rajinikanth said he couldn’t sleep that night and immediately contacted Veerappan the next morning to express his regret. However, the veteran leader responded with grace, reportedly telling Rajinikanth not to worry and to carry on as usual. When Rajinikanth asked if he should try speaking to Jayalalithaa to clarify the matter, Veerappan reportedly advised against it, saying, “Don’t lose your self-respect. I don’t need any position; I’m not attached to it.”
The actor recalled this moment with great emotion, calling RM Veerappan a “true kingmaker” and citing the incident as one of the major reasons behind his political opposition to Jayalalithaa. “This is one of the key reasons why I stood against her,” Rajinikanth said in the documentary.
Rift Between Rajinikanth & Jayalalithaa
The rift between the two prominent figures had made headlines even in the 1990s, especially after Jayalalithaa questioned Rajinikanth over alleged financial impropriety, hinting at black money. In response, Rajinikanth had held a press conference, urging political leaders not to weaponise his name for political gains or sow division among his fanbase, whom he described as his “lifeline.”
RM Veerappan, fondly remembered as RMV, was not just a political figure but also a major force in Tamil cinema, having produced several blockbuster films. His enduring friendship with Rajinikanth remains one of the most significant collaborations in Kollywood history.
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