Chennai, February 16 Facing criticism for his remarks linking actress Trisha Krishnan with TVK chief Vijay, and following encouragement from party leaders, including the head of its women's wing, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran on Monday expressed regret over his comments and said they "were made in error."
Krishnan, a well-known actress who has worked with top actors like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, condemned the "inappropriate and distasteful" remarks.
Without naming Nagenthran, she criticised the remarks made by "a person holding a prominent position in Tamil Nadu's political landscape."
The actress posted a legal notice on her social media, in response to Nagenthran's comments linking her to actor-politician Vijay, while attempting to criticize him.
The statement, dated February 15 and issued through her legal counsel, clarified that Trisha maintains a strictly neutral political stance and is not affiliated with any political party.
The actress's legal team stated that she never expected such remarks from a "prominent figure" in the state's political sphere. Nagenthran is also a legislator, representing the Tirunelveli Assembly constituency in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
The statement emphasised that Krishnan has consistently maintained a neutral stance on politics in the past and continues to do so.
The statement further noted that Trisha "wants to be defined solely by her professional work in cinema, rather than any alleged political alignment." It called for responsibility and equanimity from those in public positions, asserting that personal lives should not be the subject of public discourse.
The controversy erupted after Nagenthran, while commenting on Vijay’s political entry and his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), made a personal reference to the actor that was widely circulated on social media and criticised by many as being inappropriate.
The legal notice, which Trisha posted on her Instagram account with the caption "Disrespect should and always will be called out", requested that the actress's name not be drawn into matters that do not concern her.
Nagenthran had come under attack from various quarters, including DMK deputy general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi, for his remarks.
Soon after, in an impromptu press briefing in Tirunelveli, Nagenthran said what he had said that day "was a mistake."
"Regarding my political life, I have never allowed any criticism of anyone, nor have I made such criticisms myself. What I said that day was a slip of the tongue; regarding that, our All India Leader (Mahila Morcha chief) Vanathi Srinivasan and former state President K Annamalai had spoken to me. If anyone is truly saddened by this, I express my sincere regret from the bottom of my heart," said the BJP chief.
Earlier in the day, while talking to reporters in Madurai, Nagenthran had claimed he never intended to hurt anyone.
Meanwhile, some TVK functionaries filed a police complaint here against Nainar's remarks.
Krishnan and Vijay have starred in several successful Tamil films, including 'Ghilli'.
