The grand audio launch event of upcoming Tamil language sports drama Lal Salaam (releasing February 9, 2024), took place in Chennai on Republic day i.e. January 26, 2024. While the event is yet to be broadcast to the public, those present at the venue had shared some personally recorded live clips on social media.

One of these clips where Lal Salaam director Aishwarya Rajinikanth is seen stating that it hurts to see her father be branded a 'Sanghi' had raked up a controversy, both with the RSS-BJP sympathizers and non-sympathisers.  

"I generally stay away from social media, but my team often tells me what's happening and keep showing posts about what people are saying on the net. I used to get angry seeing them. We're human beings too. In recent times, many people have been calling my father a Sanghi. I didn't know what it meant. I then asked someone what was the meaning of Sanghi and they said that those people who support a particular political party.

 

I would like to tell you here now, Rajinikanth is not a Sanghi. If he was a Sanghi, he wouldn't have done Lal Salaam." - Aishwarya Rajinikanth during her Lal Salaam Audio Launch Speech

 

To the uninitiated, the term 'Sanghi' is a Hindi/Sanskrit word which refers to someone who is a member of the Hindu nationalist right-wing group in India i.e. the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Ever since the Narendra Modi lead Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to central power in India in 2014, the term has been used to deride those who identify with right-wing politics in India. 

We may say Hindu Muslim conflict whereas the real conflict in India is Sanghi vs Non-Sanghi.
For example, many Muslims are in BJP and RSS and many Hindus dislike BJP and RSS.

— टी.एच.एल.राम (@TholaRam) January 27, 2024

Today the term 'Sanghi' is used as a political slur (alongside 'bhakts' and several other derogatory terms) by left-wing liberals, and is often thrown at people who wear Hinduism on their sleeves, but may not necessarily be into intolerant right wing ideologies. While Tamil Nadu in general has been tolerant of all religions, Rajinikanth particularly has never once showcased anything but his secular shades. Rajinikanth is a staunch Hindu alright but him being extremely spiritual, has never once come in the way of his respect towards other religions or beliefs.  

"Being the subject of constant scrutiny must be tough. I thought Lal Salaam would be a boring preachy film until I saw it. In places where it would have gotten preachy, it was filled with humanity. When I asked Aishwarya who wrote these dialogues, she said she wrote it but Rajini sir tweaked it. I wasn't surprised. He (Rajinikanth) is a man beyond religion."

 

- A.R. Rahman at the Lal Salaam audio launch on understanding Rajini and what Aishwarya as the daughter of Rajini, must be going through.

 

At the same time, Rajini is also respectful of the BJP-RSS clan which does not have as much of a favourable support in Tamil Nadu, as the rest of India. Rajini is often accused of promoting right wing politics in TN, more so than actual BJP members from the Tamil film fraternity - Ilaiyaraaja, Khushbu, Gangai Amaren, earning him the tag 'Sanghi'.  

So it was no surprise when Aishwarya Rajinikanth's statement spiralled into a controversy, earning her the wrath of BJP-RSS supporters and trolls from left wing liberals. Rajinikanth addressed this controversy recently in the press and stated,

"Aishwarya has not said anywhere that Sanghi is a bad word (or a slur). (Her) Father is a spiritual man who likes all religions. So why are people saying that (her father is a Sanghi) is her viewpoint. 

 

Lal Salaam has come out very well. When it comes you'll see the film has spoken about religious well being."

Lal Salaam, is a film which is titled after the South Asian communist chant. Communism as people are aware is more about collectivism than individualism. Aishwarya Rajinikanth has confirmed that Rajinikanth requested for, and performed in the part of Moideen Bhai in Lal Salaam, which calls out poisoning of young minds with communal divide. 

Also read: AR Rahman issues statement on Lal Salaam AI song controversy