TTV Dhinakaran Criticises Vijay Over ‘Broken Jaw’ Controversy

AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran on Thursday criticised Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay over a controversy surrounding a gesture made in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, calling the actor-turned-politician a “villain in real life”. Dhinakaran said Vijay’s body language and words suggested that he was not a good person, while describing him as “self-centred” and accusing him of prioritising his own interests.

The controversy erupted after Vijay was accused of making a gesture referring to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s jaw injury, which the DMK interpreted as an insult. Vijay subsequently denied that the gesture was intentional and described it as an “accidental expression”. However, the clarification has failed to fully settle the dispute, with political leaders continuing to criticise the TVK chief over the incident.

Dhinakaran’s comments were particularly sharp as he sought to contrast Vijay’s popular image as a film hero with his conduct in politics. He said Vijay may be regarded as a hero on screen but described him differently in political life. Dhinakaran also backed criticism from VCK chief Thirumavalavan and said Vijay’s conduct and statements had contributed to questions about his approach to public life.

Also Read: MK Stalin Challenges Vijay’s Gesture, Deepening Political Tensions Ahead Of Tamil Nadu Polls

Stalin has separately responded to the controversy by recalling the circumstances surrounding his jaw injury. He said he was arrested in 1976 after the DMK government led by his father, M Karunanidhi, was dismissed during the Emergency. Stalin recalled facing harsh conditions in prison and said his jaw was injured during an assault while he was incarcerated.

The DMK chief also rejected Vijay’s explanation that the gesture was accidental, pointing to the significance of the injury and his personal history. Stalin urged Vijay to understand the history of Tamil Nadu and the DMK, saying that political figures who fought for the state and its people had faced difficult consequences. He also referred to his own experiences during the Emergency while responding to the controversy.

The row has also drawn criticism from some of Vijay’s political allies. VCK chief Thirumavalavan and CPM state chief Shanmugam described the gesture as irresponsible and criticised it as body-shaming. The exchange has added to the increasingly personal nature of political attacks in Tamil Nadu following the TVK’s electoral debut and Vijay’s emergence as a major political figure.

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