Can CM Vijay's Rajmohan fix a 'bleeding' Kollywood? Tamil industry stands divided

Barely days after Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Joseph Vijay took oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, his very first set of cabinet ministry allocations sent shockwaves through the Tamil film industry that birthed his career.

The decision to hand the Film Technology and Cinematograph Act portfolio to newly elected Egmore MLA Rajmohan Arumugam has deeply divided Kollywood. While one section of the film fraternity is urging patience and trust in the new CM's judgment, another argues that an industry currently "bleeding" from structural issues needed someone with real weight, or the Chief Minister himself, at the helm.

What triggered the discussion?

The debate entered the public domain following a sharp critique from actor Vishal, who is also one of the office bearers of Nadigar Sangam (the South Indian Artistes' Association). Vishal expressed his disappointment in a post on X, arguing that the Tamil film industry is facing immense operational and financial crises that demand urgent reforms.

"The industry is actually bleeding," he wrote.

Vishal's central argument echoes a sentiment held by many in the industry: Vijay, with over three decades of direct experience as one of India's highest-paid stars, understands Kollywood's mechanics better than most. By stepping back from the portfolio, critics argue, the new CM is distancing himself from the very community that formed his launchpad.

Vishal's concerns echo the systemic issues facing the industry at large. Since October 2025, theatres have hardly seen a few hits. The convergence of inflated star salaries, compressed theatrical windows, continuous film postponements, and financial troubles at production houses paints a troubling picture for Tamil cinema's future.

The other side

While Vishal raised concerns, actor-director Raghava Lawrence, also Vijay's close friend, has championed the CM's decision, urging the industry to avoid knee-jerk reactions.

"Our Honorable Chief Minister and Nanba CM Joseph Vijay surely would not have taken this decision without careful thought and consideration. Rather than reacting impulsively, let us give it some time and extend our support," Lawrence wrote on X.

Lawrence conceded that the industry's anxiety is valid, but maintained that Rajmohan deserves a fair, unclouded opportunity to prove himself.

But, who is Rajmohan?

For many, the name Rajmohan Arumugam is synonymous with digital media rather than mainstream politics. But his rise within TVK has been swift.

Widely known as "Put Chutney Rajmohan," he built a significant following as a YouTuber, content creator and motivational orator, particularly among Tamil Nadu's youth. He first entered television by winning the reality orator show Tamil Pechu Engal Moochu in 2008-09, later serving as a mentor on Comicstaan Semma Comedy Pa on Prime Video.

He isn't entirely a stranger to cinema either and has acted in supporting roles in Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 and Natpe Thunai. He also made his directorial debut with the school drama Baba Black Sheep in 2023, which failed at the box office.

Within TVK, he serves as the party's Propaganda Secretary, making him one of Vijay's most essential ideological voices during the 2026 election campaign.

What critics also tend to overlook is the sheer scale of what Rajmohan has been handed. Film Technology is just one slice of a massive ministerial plate that also includes School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity, and Archaeology, among others.

The case for Rajmohan

Rajmohan isn't operating in a vacuum. He is working directly under a Chief Minister who has navigated Kollywood for 33 years - from the celluloid-to-digital transition to theatre percentage disputes, piracy, and global streaming negotiations. His role isn't to teach cinema to the industry, but to act as the executive arm of a CM who already knows the business inside out.

And governance has never been a solo act. A minister has the institutional power to form advisory committees, consult veteran producers, and bring in the right expertise. Rajmohan's strength lies in communication and execution - the specialised knowledge can be bridged through collaboration with the very fraternity currently questioning him.

The scepticism around his background also reflects a recurring problem in Indian governance over the years. Not every politician or minister has the right educational qualification to justify the role they are given. Direct industry experience has rarely been a prerequisite for effective governance.

The true test of a minister has always been administrative competence, a willingness to listen, and the political capital to push through tough reforms.

The division in Kollywood isn't really about Rajmohan's credentials. It operates from fear. In an industry at crossroads, facing rapidly shifting consumption habits and mounting financial pressure, stakeholders want immediate stability, and they want to know someone in power truly understands what is at stake.

Rajmohan's real test won't play out on YouTube or election stages. It will happen in boardrooms, negotiating with theatre owners, distributors, and unions. If he can leverage Vijay's industry wisdom while managing his own sprawling portfolio, he might just silence his critics.