When Vijay said wife Sankgeetha Sornalingam was his “strict critic”; old clip resurfaces amid divorce

when Vijay called his wife strict

• Vijay's wife Sankgeetha has filed for divorce citing infidelity
• She claims emotional distress, mental abuse, and public shame.
• The couple was married for 26 years and has two children

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What was once seen as one of Tamil cinema’s most enduring marriages has now reached a deeply personal crossroads.

Tamil superstar and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief Vijay is facing a difficult chapter in his private life after his wife, Sankgeetha Sornalingam, filed for divorce before the district court in Chengalpattu, citing allegations of infidelity.

The news, first reported by PTI, has understandably stirred conversations not just within political circles, but among fans who have followed their journey for decades.

In the wake of the filing, an old interview of Vijay has resurfaced and gone viral. During a 2022 conversation with director Nelson Dilipkumar on Sun TV, Vijay had fondly referred to Sankgeetha Sornalingam as a "strict critic", someone who carefully observed and evaluated his professional choices.

His father, filmmaker SA Chandrasekhar, had also shared in an earlier interview with NewsGlitz that while Vijay did not heed everyone’s advice, he truly valued his wife’s opinion and that she watched him "strictly". Those remarks, once seen as affectionate acknowledgements of her influence, now carry a poignant undertone.

According to the divorce petition, Sankgeetha Sornalingam has stated that she became aware in April 2021 of Vijay’s alleged involvement in an extramarital relationship with an actress. She has described the discovery as causing "deep emotional pain and mental suffering, amounting to betrayal and violation of marital trust."

Though Vijay reportedly assured her that the relationship would end, the plea alleges that it continued, resulting in what she terms "mental cruelty," public humiliation arising from social media posts, emotional neglect and constructive desertion.

The petition outlines multiple attempts at reconciliation between September 2021 and February 2022, and again between August 2024 and February 2025, through legal and personal discussions. However, these efforts were said to have failed.

Also Read: Who is Thalapathy Vijay’s family? A look at his parents, siblings and children

Sankgeetha Sornalingam has described the marriage as having "irretrievably broken down" and has sought dissolution, permanent alimony, and the right to remain in the Neelankarai home or be provided equivalent accommodation. She has also requested in-camera proceedings to preserve dignity and privacy.

Vijay and Sankgeetha Sornalingam’s story began in 1996 and blossomed into a marriage that lasted 26 years. Together, they raised two children, Jason Sanjay and Divya, largely shielded from public glare.

As Vijay prepares for the 2026 Assembly elections, he now finds himself balancing public responsibilities with an intensely personal battle unfolding behind closed doors.