CHENNAI: If the DMK roped in actor Vadivelu, known as Vijaykanth’s bete noire, to launch a tirade against the DMDK chief, the AIADMK has apparently outsmarted the move by roping in Singamuthu, an actor who despises Vadivelu after falling out with him.
On Thursday, when Singamuthu began his campaign for the AIADMK-led alliance in the Thousand Lights constituency, it was more like a film script being played out in real life. Without mentioning names, Singamuthu took on actor Vadivelu on the very issue that Vadivelu poked fun at Vijaykanth: the drinking habit.
“A comedian had recently spoken about Vijaykanth’s drinking. Only I know how much this comedian drinks,” Singamuthu jibed, as he campaigned for AIADMK candidate Valarmathi.
It may be recalled that Vadivelu had, in his first campaign speech in Thiruvarur, criticised the DMDK chief about his consumption of alcohol, for which he earned the wrath of the EC.
Singamuthu did not stop with that. During his campaign, he also accused Vadivelu of filing false cases against him, and said he was jealous about Singamuthu’s son becoming a film hero.
Ahead of his campaign, he met AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa and had expressed his intent to campaign for the AIADMK alliance. Trouble broke out between Vadivelu and his sidekick of many films, Singamuthu, in February 2010, when Vadivelu filed a complaint stating he had been cheated of Rs 7 crore by the latter in land deals.
Vadivelu then filed a defamation suit for Rs 25 crore against Singamuthu for making disparaging remarks against him. Things turned worse after Singamuthu sent Vadivelu a legal notice, claiming Rs 25.50 crore as compensation for causing him mental agony.