Annamalai on Vijay’s Divorce Drama: “Entering Politics Means Enduring Personal Battles”

Chennai: Responding to questions on the reported divorce plea filed by actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay’s wife Sangeetha, Tamil Nadu BJP’s former president Annamalai said he was prepared to respond to Vijay’s political views, but would not comment on the personal life of a husband and wife.

“On Vijay’s political views, I am ready to respond. But I do not wish to comment on the personal life between a wife and husband. I do not want to politicise it in an uncivilised manner based on that. When a person enters politics, personal matters will be dug up. I believe Vijay would have realised this when he chose to enter politics. This must be crossed,” Annamalai said, speaking on the Vijay–Sangeetha divorce issue.

Actor and TVK leader Vijay’s wife Sangeetha has sought divorce from him. A petition in this regard has been filed before the Chengalpattu Family Welfare Court. The petition is scheduled to come up for hearing on April 20.

In the petition, Sangeetha has alleged that “Vijay is in an illicit relationship with an actress and has not given it up,” and has sought divorce from him. The development has come as a shock to Vijay’s fans and cadres.

It was in this context that journalists asked Annamalai about Sangeetha seeking divorce from Vijay. Responding, he said: “Vijay’s wife Sangeetha has filed a petition seeking divorce in the Chengalpattu court. It has come out today (that is, yesterday). I always say this — I see this as an issue between Vijay, his wife and the court. It is a matter of a private individual’s personal life.

“I am ready to respond to Vijay’s political views. But I do not wish to comment on the personal life between a wife and husband. I do not want to politicise it in an uncivilised manner based on that. Let them find happiness wherever they are. Let them find peace wherever they are.

“If we enter politics, it is like a man walking into a ring of fire. There will be pressure. When a person enters politics, personal matters will be dug up. That happens to everyone. Vijay too will face it. I believe he would have realised this when he entered politics. He must cross this. He must move beyond it.

“Beyond this lies his politics. The question remains whether people will accept him after seeing all this. As far as Vijay is concerned, he could have remained a cinema actor. He could have stayed peacefully at home. If he raises his hand, one lakh people would cheer. The same happened to Chiranjeevi.

“Actors who enter politics must learn to come out of pressure. Even MGR faced this. I am not saying this as positive or negative. Vijay must cross this. He must pay the price for this. Beyond notions of justice and dharma, he must continue his journey. I see this as a problem in a personal life. I do not wish to criticise a private individual’s personal life and politicise it in an uncivilised or unnecessary manner. My politics is not of that kind,” he said.