Trigger Warning: This article contains references to assault that can be triggering for some readers.
Singer Chinmayi Sripaada is being trolled on social media after publicly criticising actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan for congratulating poet and lyricist Vairamuthu on receiving the prestigious Jnanpith Award. The singer, who was among the women who named Vairamuthu during the MeToo movement in 2018, recently addressed the backlash and defended her decision to question the Tamil superstars.
Chinmayi calls out Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan
Chinmayi explained why she believes she has the right to express disappointment with influential figures in the industry. The singer, who had earlier spoken out about her own experiences, openly criticised Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan for praising the lyricist on social media, which in turn led to heavy trolling from sections of their fan bases.
Responding to the criticism, Chinmayi shared a note on X explaining that she once admired both actors but felt compelled to speak up. “A lot of you are just generally angry because I called out the Rajini Sir and Kamal Sir. I was a fan too,” Chinmayi wrote. She elaborated on why she believes public figures should be held accountable, adding, “I have the right to express my disappointment from men who I foolishly and naively expected would do better – especially that one of them is an MP as well – like the characters they play in the films, which a punch line of doing the right thing.” (sic)
Chinmayi’s criticism came after both actors publicly congratulated Vairamuthu on the honour. Rajinikanth wrote in Tamil, “My heartfelt congratulations to my dear friend, the esteemed poet Vairamuthu, recipient of the great Jnanpith Award of our Indian nation. @Vairamuthu #JnanpithAward,” to which Chinmayi responded, “Ayyyyyyoooo!!! Puriyave puriyaadha (what a puzzle)??!” Kamal Haasan also praised the lyricist in a message that read, “Tamil literature, with its long tradition, has received the prestigious literary award, the Jnanpith, for the third time. After the previous Jnanpith received by Jayakanthan, after the passage of a quarter century, my uncle poet-emperor @Vairamuthu has added this great honor to Tamil. With the poetic words “The sky is a Bodhi tree for me; every day it gives me a message,” which fell into my ears, entered my heart, and mingled in friendship, I take pride in congratulating this friend.”
Chinmayi responded sharply: “For God’s sake. P.S.: Men in such power in cinema transitioning to politics completely turning a deaf ear to women who come on record to say they were molested by “his uncle-mentor” must remind women who vote – that men will never be on our side. The weirdest thing – one of the women in his own party publicly named the Poet. End of the day, men WILL stand by their bros, uncles, dads, friends, mentors. Who cares if multiple women were traumatised?”
As the debate continues to unfold online, neither Rajinikanth nor Kamal Haasan has publicly responded to Chinmayi’s remarks.
Disclaimer: “If you know someone who is abused, having anxiety, going through depression, or is suffering from a serious mental illness, reach out to a nearby doctor, mental health expert, or an NGO for immediate help. There are several helplines available for the same.”
ALSO READ: Meet singer, the voice behind iconic Tere Bina song from Guru, was banned and is going viral again for Thug Life’s Muththa Mazhai