Udhayanidhi Stalin won the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency in the 2021 assembly elections.
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Who is Udhayanidhi Stalin?
Source: dbsjeyaraj.com
Udhayanidhi Stalin was born on November 27, 1977, he is an Indian film producer, politician, and actor with significant contributions to Tamil cinema. In December 2022, he was appointed Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, as well as the Special Act Implementation Department of Tamil Nadu, by his father, M.K. Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Udhayanidhi serves as a legislator in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency.
Udhayanidhi Stalin began his career in the film industry as a producer and distributor through his production company, Red Giant Movies.He was behind the production of significant films including “Kuruvi” (2008), “Aadhavan” (2009), “Manmadan Ambu” (2010), and “7aum Arivu” (2011). Udhayanidhi made his acting debut with the 2012 romantic comedy “Oru Kal Oru Kannadi” and continued to both produce and act in his own projects. He decided to retire from acting in 2023 to devote himself fully to his political career.
Udhayanidhi Stalin wed Kiruthiga in 2002, and the couple has a son and a daughter. Kiruthiga now manages the lifestyle magazine Inbox 1305 and has also directed the films “Vanakkam Chennai” (2013) and “Kaali” (2018). Their son, Inban, has joined NEROCA FC, a team in the I-League. Udhayanidhi has described himself as an atheist.
Udhayanidhi Stalin is the offspring of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the grandson of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. He attended Don Bosco School and earned a degree in commerce from Loyola College, Chennai. Many of his relatives have been active in politics and Tamil cinema since the 1950s. His cousins, Arulnithi and Dayanidhi Azhagiri, are involved in the film industry as an actor and a producer, respectively.
Udhayanidhi’s Career in the Film Industry:
Source: The Hindu
Udhayanidhi Stalin’s debut production with Red Giant Movies was the film “Kuruvi” (2008), featuring Vijay and Trisha. In 2012, he made his acting debut in M. Rajesh’s romantic comedy “Oru Kal Oru Kannadi,” alongside Hansika Motwani and Santhanam. His performance as an unemployed youth garnered positive reviews, with Behindwoods commenting, “Udhay’s portrayal of Saravanan is neat and enjoyable.”
Stalin won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his role in “Oru Kal Oru Kannadi.” The film’s success encouraged him to continue acting, leading to appearances in “Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal” (2014) and “Nanbenda” (2015), both of which featured him alongside Nayanthara. He also starred in “Gethu” (2016) with Amy Jackson and appeared in the courtroom drama “Manithan” (2016), opposite Hansika Motwani. “Manithan” is a Tamil remake of the Hindi film “Jolly LLB.”
In 2020, Udhayanidhi Stalin starred in Mysskin’s “Psycho,” which explores the mind of a serial killer. In 2022, he portrayed an IPS officer in “Nenjuku Needhi,” a Tamil remake of the Hindi film “Article 15.” He also appeared in Magizh Thirumeni’s thriller “Kalaga Thalaivan” and concluded his acting career with his role in “Maamannan” (2023).
Udhayanidhi’s Career in Politics:
Source: The Federal
In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Udhayanidhi Stalin’s dynamic campaign across the state was instrumental in securing a major victory for the DMK party. His impactful “AIIMS Brick” remark significantly altered the course of the election campaign. Udhayanidhi Stalin contested and won the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Assembly Constituency.
On June 21, 2021, Udhayanidhi Stalin, the MLA for Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, introduced Tamil Nadu’s first robotic sewer cleaner in his constituency. Additionally, he was nominated to serve a three-year term on Anna University’s Syndicate, with the announcement made by Speaker M. Appavu in the Assembly on September 13, 2021.
On December 14, 2022, Udhayanidhi Stalin was sworn in as the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development in his father’s Tamil Nadu cabinet.
DMK Governments move:
The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu is poised to promote Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin to the position of Deputy Chief Minister. DMK party cadres and leaders believe that elevating the son of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin would provide a significant advantage in the 2026 assembly elections, according to a senior party leader speaking to PTI.
DMK organizing secretary R.S. Bharathi has stated that the final decision on this move will be made by party president and Chief Minister Stalin.
This potential appointment echoes M.K. Stalin’s own rise to Deputy Chief Minister after the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. In December 2022, Udhayanidhi Stalin, the DMK’s youth wing leader and MLA from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, was sworn in as a minister.
A senior DMK leader mentioned on Thursday that party members are ready to “anoint” Udhayanidhi Stalin as Deputy Chief Minister, focusing on the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections.
Facts about Udhayanidhi Stalin:
- Udhayanidhi Stalin secured a victory in the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni assembly constituency during the 2021 elections and joined the cabinet a year later. Reports suggest that his efforts were pivotal in ending the decade-long rule of the AIADMK.
- Before joining the cabinet, as an MLA for Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, Udhayanidhi introduced a robotic sewer cleaner to replace manual scavengers, fulfilling one of the DMK’s key campaign promises.
- Udhayanidhi is the grandson of the esteemed DMK leader M. Karunanidhi, the longest-serving Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu with 6863 days in office across five terms. His father, M.K. Stalin, also served as Deputy Chief Minister from 2009 to 2011 while Karunanidhi was in office.
- In September 2023, Udhayanidhi sparked controversy with remarks on Sanatana Dharma. During a meeting organized by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Artists Association in Chennai, he remarked, “Just as we need to eliminate dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, and coronavirus, we must also work to eradicate Sanatana.”
- Udhayanidhi’s acting career began with a cameo in the 2009 Tamil film “Aadhavan.” His lead role debut came in 2012 with “Oru Kal Oru Kannadi,” directed by M. Rajesh, for which he won the Filmfare Best Male Debut Special Award. According to IMDb, he has acted in around 18 movies, with his latest being “Maamannan” (2023), directed by Mari Selvaraj, which addresses caste politics. Additionally, Udhayanidhi has worked as a producer and distributor for multiple Tamil films.
Link to the X account of Udhayanidhi Stalin:
https://twitter.com/Udhaystalin?t=WMXs6urKYSaHramhVSLYSQ&s=08
