TVK’s Vijay likens criticism against him to attacks faced by MGR 

TVK's Vijay compares criticism against him to MGR's past attacks, asserting his party as a whistle-blower against corruption in Tamil Nadu.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder and actor Vijay, on Monday (February 2, 2026), mocked the DMK and other political parties for repeating the same criticisms — that he is a political novice and a “cardboard knife” (atta kathi in Tamil) — that were earlier levelled against former Chief Minister and actor M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) when he launched the AIADMK.

Speaking during the second anniversary celebrations of the party’s founding at Panaiyur near Chennai, Mr. Vijay recalled an interview given by MGR on radio in 1977, in which he reportedly said that the AIADMK was founded to wipe away the tears that came to his eyes when he thought about how “certain people” had taken over the place of C.N. Annadurai (DMK founder and former Chief Minister).

“Similarly, after 2017 and 2021, Tamil people wept thinking about those who are currently occupying positions once held by Kamarajar, Arignar Anna and MGR. TVK is a party that was started to wipe those tears,” he said.

Mr. Vijay said MGR’s AIADMK was mocked and ridiculed even after the party won the 1977 elections.

“Now, those who say MGR had a lot of political experience are the same people who once criticised him as a political novice, called him a ‘cardboard knife’, and said he would not oppose Delhi. Not just MGR, they did not even spare his fans, saying they fell for glitz and glamour. Everybody knows what people did,” he said.

Urging critics to stop using what he described as outdated arguments, Mr. Vijay said similar remarks had been made even against former Chief Minister Kamarajar, questioning what he knew about literature.