Actor Vishnu Vishal spoke in an interview about how superstar Rajinikanth was forced to clarify his stance after Vijay won the Tamil Nadu elections. While addressing a comment directed at him for ‘crying’ in interviews, the actor said that even Rajinikanth isn’t immune to backlash on social media today. (Also Read: ‘Whenever I speak, it becomes a problem’: Rajinikanth hits back at trolls after controversy around his comments on Vijay)
Vishnu Vishal on Rajinikanth and Vijay
During an interview with the YouTube channel Rednool for promoting his upcoming film Gatta Kusthi 2, Vishal was read a tweet bashing him that read: “Of late, Vishnu comes for movie promotions. Cries in every interview. Claims he’s still unrecognised. Praises his movies. Then the movie releases. Gets bashed by everyone. Repeat.”
The actor defended himself, stating that he has had only two setbacks recently with Lal Salaam (2024) and Aaryan (2025). He said the former film with Rajinikanth wasn’t what he had signed up for, while the latter was criticised only for its climax. He also pointed out that he was a producer on his brother Rudra’s film, Oho Enthan Baby.
Vishnu then brought up Rajinikanth and said, “Today, a situation has arisen in which Thalaivar has to say directly that I have nothing against Vijay. We are in such an era where Thalaivar is being accused of staying silent for four days and having to explain himself on the mic after the online storm. How can anyone say he’s jealous after everything he has achieved? It’s very painful to see.” The actor also stated that fan wars don’t mean the actors aren’t cordial, citing him and Suriya as examples.
He then slammed the person who tweeted about him and said, “The person who made that tweet doesn’t know what my journey is. He has never lived a single day in my life. I didn’t live his life either. I can’t judge him, and he can’t judge me. They like me on-screen; I am an actor. My life is open; they have made me; they have the right to bash me also. I am okay with that. But I don’t like this kind of talk. Such comments hurt me.”
The Rajinikanth-Vijay saga
After Vijay won the Tamil Nadu elections, Rajinikanth was accused of not being happy for the actor-politician and of supporting DMK. The actor held a press meet to clarify he wasn’t jealous of Vijay. “Rajini is not a cheap or low-standard person to speak unnecessarily about anything else. I was extremely shocked when I heard that Vijay had become the Chief Minister. As soon as the chief minister won, I congratulated him. I’m not even in politics, so why would I be jealous of Vijay? Maybe if Kamal (Haasan) becomes the CM, I might get jealous. (smiles) There is a 25-year generation gap between Vijay and me. It won’t look good if we compete,” he said.
At the title launch of his upcoming film, Dharman, with Ashwath Marimuthu and Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth addressed the trolling that followed his statement as well. “The moment someone says they are calling me to speak, I feel hesitant. Because whenever I speak, it becomes a problem, either for you or for me.” He also pointed out that staying silent doesn’t help either, adding, “If I stay quiet, they will make fun of me saying, why isn’t he speaking? Has he kept a kozhukattai (a sweet delicacy) in his mouth?” he said.