After confirming political entry, actor Raghava Lawrence asks fans to say yes or no
Actor-director Raghava Lawrence shared an 18-minute video on X to explain his political interest and seek a yes-or-no response from fans. Earlier, in an X post, he said that several circumstances had led him to consider entering politics.
Actor and choreographer Raghava Lawrence, after seemingly confirming his political entry, has now asked his fans to tell him whether he should enter politics. In an 18-minute video shared on X, Lawrence spoke about his interest in public life and how his mother agreed to his political dreams before he stopped short of confirming his foray.
Beginning his message with the line, "Do your duty but don’t expect anything in return," Lawrence said his main purpose in life was to serve through charitable work. In the same video, he spoke about how Rajinikanth’s political plans first influenced him, before moving to Thalapathy Vijay’s ambitions, prompting fresh speculation over whether he could align with Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), amid talk around the Trichy East seat.
In the video, Lawrence said his admiration for Rajinikanth had once made him seriously consider joining the superstar’s political movement. He said he sought the blessing of his mother, for whom he has even built a temple, but she did not approve. According to Lawrence, she described politics as saakkadai (drainage). He added that when he told Rajinikanth about this, the actor asked him to wait.
Here's his video:
Lawrence further said he later learned about Rajinikanth’s health issues and his decision to step back from politics. Rajinikanth had announced his political entry on December 31, 2017, but later withdrew and dissolved the Rajini Makkal Mandram in July 2021.
Lawrence said those developments led him to turn his focus back to films, including the Kanchana series.
He said the thought of entering politics returned when Thalapathy Vijay announced his political plans in 2024. Lawrence said he again informed his mother, but she reiterated her disapproval. He also said he mentioned it to his nanban (friend) Vijay, who advised him to wait.
According to Lawrence, his mother’s stand changed years later when Vijay registered a historic win in the Tamil Nadu 2026 elections, which made the TVK chief the state’s chief minister in his first attempt. Lawrence said she then gave her approval, which left him excited.
Even then, Lawrence stopped short of confirming whether he would join Vijay’s party. Instead, he asked his fans to respond in the comments with a yes or no and said he would place his political future in their hands.
The comment section underneath the video is full of congratulatory messages from followers, who nudged him to join Vijay's TVK.
Hours before sharing the video seeking public approval, Lawrence explained that circumstances had led him to a point to enter politics.
His remarks have since sparked speculation that he could be fielded from Trichy East, a constituency that has been linked to Vijay. The discussion has also referred to Vijay’s wins in Trichy East and Perambur in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections held on April 23, including a 27,416-vote victory over DMK candidate Inigo Irudayaraj in Trichy East.
Vijay later gave up Trichy East and chose to retain Perambur, reportedly because of its proximity to the State Secretariat.
For now, Lawrence has made it clear that politics remains on his mind and has outlined the events that shaped that thinking, from Rajinikanth’s abandoned political move to Vijay’s rise. However, he has not announced a final decision and has instead asked his fans to decide whether he should take the next step.
Actor and choreographer Raghava Lawrence, after seemingly confirming his political entry, has now asked his fans to tell him whether he should enter politics. In an 18-minute video shared on X, Lawrence spoke about his interest in public life and how his mother agreed to his political dreams before he stopped short of confirming his foray.
Beginning his message with the line, "Do your duty but don’t expect anything in return," Lawrence said his main purpose in life was to serve through charitable work. In the same video, he spoke about how Rajinikanth’s political plans first influenced him, before moving to Thalapathy Vijay’s ambitions, prompting fresh speculation over whether he could align with Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), amid talk around the Trichy East seat.
In the video, Lawrence said his admiration for Rajinikanth had once made him seriously consider joining the superstar’s political movement. He said he sought the blessing of his mother, for whom he has even built a temple, but she did not approve. According to Lawrence, she described politics as saakkadai (drainage). He added that when he told Rajinikanth about this, the actor asked him to wait.
Here's his video:
Lawrence further said he later learned about Rajinikanth’s health issues and his decision to step back from politics. Rajinikanth had announced his political entry on December 31, 2017, but later withdrew and dissolved the Rajini Makkal Mandram in July 2021.
Lawrence said those developments led him to turn his focus back to films, including the Kanchana series.
He said the thought of entering politics returned when Thalapathy Vijay announced his political plans in 2024. Lawrence said he again informed his mother, but she reiterated her disapproval. He also said he mentioned it to his nanban (friend) Vijay, who advised him to wait.
According to Lawrence, his mother’s stand changed years later when Vijay registered a historic win in the Tamil Nadu 2026 elections, which made the TVK chief the state’s chief minister in his first attempt. Lawrence said she then gave her approval, which left him excited.
Even then, Lawrence stopped short of confirming whether he would join Vijay’s party. Instead, he asked his fans to respond in the comments with a yes or no and said he would place his political future in their hands.
The comment section underneath the video is full of congratulatory messages from followers, who nudged him to join Vijay's TVK.
Hours before sharing the video seeking public approval, Lawrence explained that circumstances had led him to a point to enter politics.
His remarks have since sparked speculation that he could be fielded from Trichy East, a constituency that has been linked to Vijay. The discussion has also referred to Vijay’s wins in Trichy East and Perambur in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections held on April 23, including a 27,416-vote victory over DMK candidate Inigo Irudayaraj in Trichy East.
Vijay later gave up Trichy East and chose to retain Perambur, reportedly because of its proximity to the State Secretariat.
For now, Lawrence has made it clear that politics remains on his mind and has outlined the events that shaped that thinking, from Rajinikanth’s abandoned political move to Vijay’s rise. However, he has not announced a final decision and has instead asked his fans to decide whether he should take the next step.
