For decades, the rift between Tamil cinema icon Rajinikanth and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has been the subject of speculation and intrigue.
The superstar, known for his enigmatic persona both on and off-screen, recently broke his silence, shedding light on an incident from 1995-96 that altered political equations and left a lasting mark on his relationship with the late AIADMK leader. In a heartfelt speech delivered recently, Rajinikanth revisited a moment from his past that intertwined cinema, politics, and personal regret—a moment he had kept under wraps for nearly three decades.
The setting was the 125th-day celebration of the blockbuster film Baasha, produced by the veteran politician and producer R.M. Veerappan, affectionately known as RMV Sir. The 1995 event, a grand affair celebrating the film’s monumental success, saw Rajinikanth take the stage as the final speaker. What followed was an unfiltered address that would have unforeseen consequences. Reflecting on the moment, Rajinikanth recalled, “I spoke about the bomb blast culture getting a stronghold in the state on that dais. I did not have the intelligence in my mind about keeping quiet about these matters.”
At the time, Tamil Nadu was grappling with political turbulence, and Rajinikanth’s remarks—made with the sincerity of a concerned citizen—did not go unnoticed. Seated on stage was RMV Sir, then a minister in Jayalalithaa’s cabinet. The superstar’s candid words, however, triggered an immediate fallout. That very night, Veerappan was stripped of his ministerial position. Jayalalithaa, known for her iron-fisted leadership, reportedly confronted him with a pointed question: “How could you keep quiet when Rajini spoke about this?” The decision was swift, and RMV Sir was ousted from the cabinet.
For Rajinikanth, the repercussions hit hard. Unable to sleep that night, he wrestled with guilt and repeatedly tried to reach Veerappan by phone, to no avail. “First thing next morning, I spoke to him and said, ‘I am extremely sorry sir, all this happened due to me,’” Rajinikanth recounted.
What followed was a testament to Veerappan’s magnanimity. Brushing off the incident with a laugh, RMV Sir reassured the actor, saying, “Don’t worry sir, what’s the big deal? This has already happened, don’t think about this. Tell me, when is your shooting?” Rajinikanth even offered to intervene and speak to Jayalalithaa, but Veerappan dissuaded him. “Don’t even think about it. She is a firm person and won’t change her mind. You please don’t go to her, and I don’t need such a post if it has to come like this,” Veerappan told him.
In his speech, Rajinikanth hailed Veerappan as a “Kingmaker – a real king,” a tribute to the producer’s grace and resilience. The anecdote not only reveals the personal remorse Rajinikanth carried for years but also underscores the complex interplay of cinema and politics in Tamil Nadu—a state where the two have long been inseparable.
This revelation comes at a time when Rajinikanth’s own political journey has been under scrutiny. After hinting at a political plunge in the late 1990s and briefly launching his Rajini Makkal Mandram (RMM) in 2017, the superstar ultimately stepped back from electoral politics in 2020, citing health concerns.
His remarks against Jayalalithaa’s administration in the mid-90s, including his famous 1996 statement—“Even God cannot save Tamil Nadu if Jayalalithaa returns to power”—had already cemented his image as a politically outspoken figure. The Baasha incident, however, offers a deeper glimpse into the origins of their fallout, one rooted in an unintended but seismic moment.
For fans and political observers alike, Rajinikanth’s decision to open up after 30 years is a rare window into the superstar’s conscience. It humanizes a larger-than-life figure who has often shied away from revisiting controversies. The speech also serves as a tribute to R.M. Veerappan, a towering figure in Tamil cinema and politics who passed away in 2004, leaving behind a legacy of mentorship and humility.