Karur Stampede: Vijay's Jilla Co-Star Stands By Him After Tragedy, Writes 'I'm Sure He's Truly Devastated'

A devastating stampede at actor-turned-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur on Saturday claimed the lives of 38 people, sending shockwaves across Tamil Nadu and the country. Actress Vinodhini Vaidyanathan,

who worked with Thalapathy in Jilla, reacted to the tragedy with an emotional post. She questioned why the Beast star left the film industry to join politics. Vijay’s co-star also urged people not to hate the “kind-hearted” actor and to avoid politicising the situation.Vinodhini tweeted on Sunday, "I love Vijay sir the actor. I worked with him in Jilla. When I got down from the stage after receiving Vikatan award for Aandavan kattalai, he was seated in the first row. I went up to him, showed him the award, took his wishes and only then went back to my seat. So much love was showered upon him by the people of Tamil Nadu when he was only an actor. He was the undisputed leader of the film industry. Why oh why did he have to enter politics?"

I love Vijay sir the actor. I worked with him in Jilla. When I got down from the stage after receiving Vikatan award for Aandavan kattalai, he was seated in the first row. I went up to him, showed him the award, took his wishes and only then went back to my seat. So much love was…

— Vinodhini Vaidynathan (@VinodhiniUnoffl) September 28, 2025

She added, "My brother, I truly don’t know how you are going to handle this guilt. He’s an extremely nice person at heart. The hate he is receiving now feels personal. I have no comment on his political career or opinions since I don’t agree with most of the party ideologies. But as a person, knowing him to be a mild-mannered, soft-spoken, kind-hearted human being, I’m sure he is truly devastated by the deaths of so many innocent people. Please don’t politicise this situation. Let us mourn the deaths of these innocent souls in deep sorrow. Let us not be consumed by hate. Please."Tamil Nadu DGP G Venkataraman pointed to overcrowding, delays, and inadequate basic facilities as the main causes behind the tragedy.