The ongoing tension between Kollywood veterans and the rising political force of TVK chief Vijay has reached a new fever pitch. Actor Sathyaraj, a staunch supporter of the ruling DMK, has launched a blistering verbal attack on the superstar, following the indefinite delay of Vijay's highly anticipated political thriller, Jana Nayagan.
Drawing sharp parallels to the 2013 Thalaivaa controversy, Sathyaraj mocked Vijay's perceived change in tone. He alleged that during the Thalaivaa crisis-when the film faced backlash from the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK-Vijay had adopted a conciliatory, "pleading" stance towards the then Chief Minister, according to a Cinema Express report.
Also read: Will Women's Reservation Bill return? Kangana Ranaut remains hopeful | WATCH
"Imagine what would have happened if he had described Jayalalithaa Madam as 'Jayalalithaa Aunty'?" Sathyaraj quipped, referencing Vijay's recent sarcastic habit of addressing CM MK Stalin as "Stalin Uncle." He added, with a characteristic bite: "He would have been bashed like kothu parotta. He wouldn't be singing 'Naa Ready Dha' now; he'd be singing about 'Mutta Parotta' on the streets."
The comments have sparked a firestorm online, but support for Vijay appeared from an unexpected quarter: Sathyaraj's own son, Sibi Sathyaraj. In a cryptic post on X, Sibi shared a photo of Vijay, suggesting that life is more "jovial" when one remains silent in the face of hatred and instigation.
With Jana Nayagan currently mired in a censor board deadlock and a recent high-definition leak, the political stakes for Vijay's "swansong" film have never been higher. As the election season looms, the divide between the cinema legends and the new political guard continues to widen.