Just as the Emergency was lifted in India, a baby boy was born into a traditional DMK household in the year 1977. While the party and the country were in turmoil, the boy’s grandfather was pressurised to step down from his post in the party to keep it afloat. The boy's father had, meanwhile, just completed his jail term under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) for protesting against the Emergency in 1976.  


Around 45 years later, the boy is the newest minister from the DMK family. Udhayanidhi Stalin has joined his father MK Stalin's government as the Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports Development, at a much younger than the latter.

With his induction, it has also become clear that Udhayanidhi has firmly entered state politics. 


The undeclared heir to the party, Udhayanidhi, however, has had to clear some hurdles before rising to the position. His outspoken nature drew a lot of controversies and he received considerable flak over ‘dynasty politics'. 


However, apart from being DMK stalwart Karunanidhi’s grandson and CM Stalin’s son, Udhayanidhi had been trying his hands at several things over the last decade to carve a niche for himself in politics and showbiz. 


He is an actor, producer, distributor, managing director of his family-owned Murasoli Trust, Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni MLA and youth wing secretary of DMK. Now, Udhayanidhi is a minister too.


Udhayanidhi Stalin: The Showbiz Man 


Udhayanidhi Stalin's political family is also a family of filmmakers, producers and writers. He did his schooling at Don Bosco, and then took up BSc Viscom course at Loyola College in Chennai. He also went to the US to pursue his master's degree. A few years after finishing college, he became a producer through the banner Red Giant Movies. 


Udhayanidhi made his debut as a producer through the movie, Kuruvi (2008). Later, he produced KS Ravikumar directorials, Aadhavan and Manmadan Ambu. He also produced 7am Arivu, directed by AR Murugadoss. 


Udhayanidhi also tried his hands at film distribution. His Red Giant Movies is a successful name in film production and distribution.


He also appeared before the camera, making his acting debut through a romantic-comedy, Oru Kal Oru Kannadi (2012), alongside Hansika and Santhanam. The movie was a commercial success and he continued doing movies in the same genre umntil 2016. Later, he started experimenting with different roles after his courtroom drama Manithan (2016) became a hit. He is also known for his psychological thriller Psycho (2020), political drama Nenjuku Needhi (2022) and thriller Kalaga Thalaivan (2022). The movie Kalaga Thalaivan focused on the Sterlite protest in Thoothukudi. 


During the same time, several important political events unfolded in the state, especially after the demise of former TN CM Jayalalithaa and his grandfather Karunanidhi. There was also a vacuum in politics just before the 2019 Parliamentary elections. Udhayanidhi set out in the same year to find his place in state politics.


The Rise Of The Grandson In Politics


Udhayanidhi Stalin first plunged himself into mainstream politics through campaigns during the run-up to 2019 elections. However, his first campaign for DMK's South Chennai MP candidate Thamizhachi Thangapandian ran into a controversy. During the speech, Udhayanidhi said, “Don't fail to send this beautiful candidate to Lok Sabha.” 


Udhayanidhi and the party had to do a lot of damage control to cover up the embarrassment. However, the criticism also helped him sharpen his campaigning skills. He started gaining followers for his extemporal speeches during the campaigns across the state.


The DMK received a thumping win in the polls, helping him consolidate his position in the party. Udhayanidhi was appointed DMK youth wing secretary in July 2019. It had been a party post Stalin had held for over three decades. The appointment was also made to put an end to the ambitions nurtured by some of the functionaries. 


Yet, Udhayanidhi was not the first choice for the post. The party's initial choice was Udhayanidhi's close friend Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. However, Anbil Mahesh turned down the offer to pave way for his friend and decided to be Udhayanidhi's trusted lieutenant.


After taking over as the youth wing secretary, Udhayanidhi has been active in the field. He could be seen carrying out protests against the central government schemes, along with his youth wing members. The wing also raised its voice against the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET), "Hindi imposition" and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.


Electoral Debut Of Chinna Thalapathy


Despite the party post, the electoral debut of Udhayanidhi Stalin was rather viewed impressive by the people than dramatic. During the run-up to Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2021, it was once again Udhayanidhi’s campaign that caught the attention of the people.


Visuals from one particular campaign trip went viral after he roared from a van with a red brick saying, "I have brought Madurai AIIMS with me."


Udhayanidhi was an MLA candidate, though his father was reportedly reluctant to nominate him due to the dynasty politics debate.


However, Udhayanidhi eventually won his seat, making his debut from the constituency once held by his grandfather M Karunanidhi. The Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni is also a stronghold of DMK.


Soon after the win, Udhayanidhi hogged headlines after he shut down a TASMAC liquor shop in residential area, and started visiting restrooms to ensure sanitation in his constituency. During the pandemic, Udhayanidhi was also in news in connection with welfare schemes for the people of his constituency.

Against this backdrop, it was once again Anbil Mahesh who proposed the name of Udhayanidhi for his induction as a minister.


‘I, Udhayanidhi Stalin...’: 35th Minister In CM Stalin's Council


Amid speculation that Udhayanidhi Stalin is set to be appointed as a minister, a press release from the principal secretary to the Governor confirmed his induction as the 35th Minister in CM Stalin’s Council of Ministers. 


The press release said: “The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has recommended to the Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu to induct Udhayanidhi Stalin, Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Assembly Constituency in the council of Ministers. The Hon’ble Governor has approved the recommendation. The swearing-in-ceremony will be held on Dec 14, 2022 at 9.30 A.M at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Chennai.”


On Wednesday, Udhayanidhi Stalin took oath as the Tamil Nadu Minister for Youth Welfare & Sports Development. After his induction, Udhayanidhi said he plans to make Tamil Nadu the sports capital of India. 


He also announced that his last movie will be Maamannan, directed by Mari Selvaraj. He said he is going to stop acting in movies to concentrate on politics.