Rajinikanth folds hands, avoids commenting on CM Vijay at Chennai airport. Video
Rajinikanth did not respond when reporters at Chennai airport asked about Vijay becoming Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. The silence stood out because he had earlier congratulated Vijay's party on its election win.
Superstar Rajinikanth chose not to comment when reporters asked him about Vijay taking charge as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. As reported by the news agency PTI, the actor was seen at Chennai airport on Tuesday, where he was surrounded by media personnel, and videos of the brief exchange have since gone viral online.
When asked for his reaction, Rajinikanth did not answer the question. He smiled, folded his hands in greeting, and walked ahead without making any statement. His silence came days after Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister following his party's victory in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Rajinikanth at Chennai airport
In the video circulating online, Rajinikanth is seen making his way through the airport as reporters try to get a response from him on Vijay's new role. Though the question was put to him directly, the actor chose not to speak and instead acknowledged those around him with a smile and folded hands before moving on.
Earlier message for Vijay
While Rajinikanth did not react this time, he had earlier congratulated Vijay after the Tamil Nadu election results were announced on May 4. In a post on X, he wrote, "My congratulations to Thiru Vijay, President of the victorious Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, and to the members of his party, on their resounding victory in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections," he had written on X.
In a separate message, Vijay on Tuesday thanked Rajinikanth for his heartfelt wishes on X. "Heartfelt thanks for the loving greetings from Super Star Mr. @rajinikanth (sic)," he wrote.
Vijay sworn in as Chief Minister
Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday (May 10), after his historic win and secured the majority needed to form the government. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, where Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office.
Rajinikanth's latest public appearance drew attention because of the question on Vijay's elevation, but the actor chose to remain silent. His only public response so far remains the congratulatory message he shared after the election results, before Vijay formally took oath as Chief Minister.