Actor-director Raghava Lawrence has backed actor-turned-Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay's decision to appoint Egmore MLA Rajmohan as Minister for Film Technology and Cinematograph Act.
In another post, he wrote, “I understand the concerns, especially given the current challenges faced by the film industry.
However, Honorable Minister #RajMohan, as the Minister for Film Technology and the Cinematograph Act, deserves some time and a fair opportunity to settle into this role.
Even as his remarks triggered discussion, several others defended Vijay’s decision and said the chief minister must have taken the call after due consideration.
In that post, Lawrence wrote, “The people have spoken, and a new government has been chosen through their mandate.
Actor-director Raghava Lawrence has backed actor-turned-Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay's decision to appoint Egmore MLA Rajmohan as Minister for Film Technology and Cinematograph Act. The post comes a day after actor Vishal questioned the move.
Lawrence asked people to trust Vijay's judgment. He said Vijay would not have made the decision without careful thought and urged people not to react impulsively.
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The development came after Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar approved the allocation of portfolios to the nine ministers who were sworn in with Vijay on May 10. Rajmohan, the party’s Egmore legislator, was made minister for school education, Tamil development, and information and publicity. He was also given charge of archaeology, Tamil official language and Tamil culture, information and publicity, Film Technology and the Cinematograph Act, newsprint control, stationery and printing, and the government press.
Before entering politics, Rajmohan was a YouTuber, actor, content creator, motivational speaker and orator.
Raghava Lawrence backs Vijay
Among those who supported Vijay was Raghava Lawrence, who shared his views on X. He wrote, “Our Honorable Chief Minister and Nanba #CMJosephVijay surely would not have taken this decision without careful thought and consideration. Rather than reacting impulsively, let us give it some time and extend our support. I’m hopeful that Minister Raj Mohan will deliver his best for the welfare of the film fraternity (sic).”
Lawrence added that he understood why some people were worried, especially in view of the issues being faced by the film industry. In another post, he wrote, “I understand the concerns, especially given the current challenges faced by the film industry. However, Honorable Minister #RajMohan, as the Minister for Film Technology and the Cinematograph Act, deserves some time and a fair opportunity to settle into this role. @TVKVijayHQ @imrajmohan (sic).”
The Tamil film industry is going through a tough time with hardly a few films tasting success at the box office, exorbitant salaries of actors and rising production costs, among other structural issues.
When Vishal questioned the move
Vishal had openly raised doubts over the appointment, saying Rajmohan had little or no understanding of what was happening in the Tamil film industry. Even as his remarks triggered discussion, several others defended Vijay’s decision and said the chief minister must have taken the call after due consideration.
Here's the post:
This is not the first time Lawrence has spoken in support of Vijay after his rise to office. A day before Vijay was sworn in as Tamil Nadu’s new Chief Minister, Lawrence shared a throwback picture with him on X and congratulated him.
In that post, Lawrence wrote, “The people have spoken, and a new government has been chosen through their mandate. The will of the people must be respected. Leaders who support and respect this democratic decision will continue to earn the people’s respect. Those who try to create issues or divisions will only attract more disappointment from the public (sic).”
He added, “At the end of the day, all leaders must work to pave the way for the formation of a new government. The people’s mandate should always be respected (sic).”
Vijay has now joined the decorated list of actor-turned-political leaders such as NT Rama Rao, MG Ramachandran, and J Jayalalithaa. His party, TVK, reshaped the political contest in Tamil Nadu by defeating both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which had remained the state’s two main political forces for decades.
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Published By: K Janani Published On: May 19, 2026 15:59 IST