Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran expresses regret after crass remark on Trisha Krishnan

Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran expresses regret after crass remark on Trisha

• BJP's Nainar Nagendran apologizes for remark on Trisha Krishnan
• Trisha condemns the comment, stresses her political neutrality
• Leaders across parties criticize Nagendran's inappropriate remark

Did our AI summary help?

Tamil Nadu BJP state president Nainar Nagendran expressed regret on Monday after his controversial remark linking veteran actress Trisha Krishnan to actor-turned-politician Vijay sparked widespread backlash across political and public forums. Nainar Nagendran said the comment was “made by mistake” and offered a heartfelt apology if it “hurt anyone,” as leading voices from across the political spectrum weighed in on the matter.

“This was a statement made by mistake. Our all India women's wing chief Vanathi Srinivasan and Annamalai has spoken to me about this matter. If anyone has been hurt by my statement, I express my heartfelt regrets,” the Tamil Nadu BJP president said.

The row began last week when Nainar Nagendran, while attacking Vijay’s political ambitions as chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state, quipped that Vijay should “come out of Trisha’s house” to gain experience and succeed in politics. The remark — widely circulated on social media — was criticised as crass and inappropriate for dragging a public figure into a political debate.

“Poor man, he is completely inexperienced. First, he needs to come out of his house. Come out of Trisha’s house first, then something can happen,” he had said, laughing.

The controversy escalated after Trisha Krishnan herself broke her silence, issuing a strong statement through her legal advisor condemning the remark as distasteful, inappropriate and unbecoming of someone holding high political office. She emphasised her political neutrality, stating she isn’t affiliated with any political party and wishes to be defined only by her craft — adding that personal lives should not be the subject of public commentary or political discourse.

“My client never expected that such a distasteful and inappropriate remark would be made by a person holding a high stature in the State's political space,” the statement said.

Also read: Trisha Krishnan issues statement after 'disrespectful' remark by TN BJP chief Nainar Nagendran related to Vijay's politics: ‘Disrespect should be called out’

Political leaders from rival parties — including the DMK, Congress and allied outfits — also criticised Nainar Nagendran, deeming his comments disrespectful and highlighting that such personal attacks detract from civil political debate. The DMK, in particular, labelled the remarks “uncivilised” and said public figures should avoid degrading language about women or unrelated personalities.