Chinmayi Sripaada responds to trolling after criticising Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan over Vairamuthu’s Jnanpith honour

Chinmayi Sripaada responds to trolling after criticising Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan over Vairamuthu’s Jnanpith honour

• Chinmayi slams Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan for lauding Vairamuthu
• She questions support for Vairamuthu amid #MeToo allegations
• Chinmayi urges for safer reporting spaces in Tamil film industry

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Singer and voice artist Chinmayi Sripaada has responded to social media trolling after she criticised veteran actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan for congratulating lyricist Vairamuthu on receiving the prestigious Jnanpith Award.

The controversy erupted online after the singer questioned the praise extended to Vairamuthu despite past sexual-harassment allegations raised during the #MeToo movement. Soon after Vairamuthu was announced as the latest recipient of the literary honour, several prominent personalities from the film industry shared congratulatory messages on social media.

Among them were Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, both of whom praised the lyricist’s contribution to Tamil literature and cinema. Their posts, however, triggered strong reactions from Chinmayi, who had previously accused Vairamuthu of sexual harassment in 2018 as part of the #MeToo movement.

Responding to the congratulatory messages, Chinmayi expressed disappointment that influential public figures were celebrating the award without acknowledging the allegations raised by multiple women.

"A lot of you are just generally angry because I called out the Rajini Sir and Kamal Sir. I was a fan too. 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."

"As a citizen in this country, and as a woman, a parent of kids, watching mounting cases of sexual harassment, assault, abuse by men in power every single day, while those who can make a difference turn a blind eye - it is a blazing disappointment and my right to ask a politician in a democratic, how they are leading by example."

"And one can be disappointed - and so many of my 'heroes', 'mentors' of all genders in the Tamil Film Industry did not do the right thing - All I ask is setting up an Internal Complaints Committee according to the Vishkha Guidelines - a safe enquiry committee where women and minors (many are minors in media) feel emboldened and safe to report which can also safeguard against false cases."

"I know now - a lot of men who have not been outed publicly by anyone, we know who they are - I know who will never come within a 5km radius of my children. Sadly, you won't know who they are - because there is no safe space to report a molester in Tamilnadu since you all rally to protect your sex offender buddies. Time will be your greatest teacher. And those lessons will not be kind," Chinmayi wrote.

A lot of you are just generally angry because I called out the Rajini Sir and Kamal Sir. I was a fan too. 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… https://t.co/EUhKutjq6s

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) March 15, 2026

In another X post, Chinmayi wrote: "Sri Rajinikanth and Sri Kamal Haasan are powerful men in the industry—legends—who are saying 17 women speaking up about sexual harassment (one of whom got banned in front of their eyes) and they did NOTHING with all their power makes no difference.

"These are men who have transitioned to politics and give speeches about women's safety while colluding with a molester WITHOUT PUTTING safeguards like ICCs in their own industry FIRST! Which part of this is not making sense to you?"

Sri Rajinikanth and Sri Kamal Haasan - are powerful men in the Industry, legends who are saying 17 Women speaking up about sexual harassment, one of whom got banned in front of their eyes and they did NOTHING with all their power, makes no difference. These are men who have… https://t.co/Gv33U53Iqa — Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) March 15, 2026

Also read: Chinmayi Sripada calls out Jnanpith Award for Vairamuthu amid 2018 #MeToo allegations

Chinmayi has long been one of the most vocal figures in India’s #MeToo movement within the entertainment industry. Vairamuthu has become the third Tamil writer—after novelists Akilan (1975) and Jayakanthan (2002)—to be honoured with the Jnanpith Award, the country's highest literary honour.