Tamil film superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday (May 17, 2026) dispelled speculation that he tried to broker a deal between DMK and AIADMK in the wake of the fractured mandate in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. He also made it clear he does not envy actor-turned Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s success.

Addressing journalists at his Poes Garden residence in Chennai, Rajinikanth said the Dravidian parties have been in power for 60 years, there was perhaps a need for a change and Mr. Vijay was in the right place to bring that change.

“After the results, I met [former Chief Minister] Stalin sir as he had lost in Kolathur and we have been friends. He has been my friend for the last 35-40 years. But this has resulted in criticism that I tried to broker a deal between two big parties. I am not a person who would stoop so low. I would like to clarify that,” he said.

Rajinikanth asked how he could harbour envy against Mr. Vijay when there is a big generation gap between them.

“Vijay and I have almost 20-25 years age difference. His achievement is better than what NTR [N T Rama Rao, yesteryear actor and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister] and MGR [M.G. Ramachandran, actor-turned former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister] did. He has won against a powerful central government and against two big Dravidian parties,” he said.

“When I am not in politics, why should I envy him (Vijay),” Rajinikanth wondered. According to him, Mr Vijay should be given a period of two years (to prove himself in his new role).