Confirming speculations, actor-director Raghava Lawrence has officially announced that he will be making his foray into politics, making him the latest in the long list of film personalities who have taken this decision.

In his recent X post, he began his statement by saying, "Do your duty sincerely, without expecting anything in return." He further clarified that politics was never part of his original plans. "I never imagined entering politics. I never had any intention of earning money or seeking a position. My belief was always that if someone I trusted and believed in entered politics, I would stand beside them and contribute towards serving society on a larger scale," he said.

Reflecting on his journey, he revealed that changing circumstances have now led him to take the step himself.

In a detailed 18-minute-long video, he explained his long association with social service and how it paved a path for his understanding in politics at the height of the Jallikattu protests in 2017. He expressed his surprise on the youth uprising and then went on to talk about his acquaintance with fellow actor and NTK leader Seeman.

Raghava described Rajinikanth as his "father" and "elder brother" and recollected the time when the country was anticipating his political entry. "I extended my support to him, but when my fans and well wishers asked me if I will become a minister in his cabinet when he becomes the CM, I told them to do their duties and not expect the fruits of it," he said, stating how they even wanted him to stand against Seeman at one point. "I am firmly against hate politics. I only wanted to do good for the people," he added.

He also recollected how his mother felt upset when he decided on entering politics. "She called politics 'dirty' and adviced me against it. She was firm about her decision. My mom is everything to me. It was then that Covid-19 happened. Rajinikanth had also withdrawn his interest in politics due to his health issues," he shared, noting how he saw the star devastated on not being able to serve the people who supported him in his career and meteoric rise. "He wanted a well-read person on the seat," he remarked.

"Many politicians and film personalities including Kalaignar, Anbumani Ramadoss and even my friend Vijay helped ailing children and those struggling to study. Meanwhile, I also finished works for Kanchana and Jigarthanda. Later, I started the 'Maatram' movement, helping farmers with tractors. Whenever I go to my trust, the children there would ask me about my dreams of expanding the organisation. But I knew that God will help me in some way. That is when my friend Vijay announces his political entry. I was enthused!," he elaborated, speaking fondly about their friendship starting from working as a choreographer on his hit film songs.

"I know he will work hard. But I had to get my mother's approval. She once again reiterated her words on how dirty the political game is. I thought politics was not in my horoscope, but Vijay told me that my mom would understand someday," he said, sharing how he was ecstatic and surprised at his monumental election victory. "My mother was also happy and said that it gave her trust on good politicians making it up to the top. She finally gave me an approval after that. I now ask my fans and people if I can come to this arena and if I have what it takes for making an entry," he concluded his video note.

The actor did not mention which political party he would be joining and said he said he'd share that soon. However, speculations are rife that he would join hands with CM Vijay's ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and contest in the Trichy East constituency that was won by Vijay during the recent assembly elections. He contested in Perambur as well as Trichy, but had to resign from the latter in the days leading up to his oath taking ceremony.

This year, Sundar C too made an entry to politics, contesting in the Madurai Central constituency. He represented the Pudiya Neethi Katchi (PNK) under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), in alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). However, he faced a defeat and finished in third place with 33,538 votes. The seat was won by the TVK candidate, Madur Badruddin.

On the work front, Raghava Lawrence is currently working on Benz, an action film, directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan. He also has Kanchana 4, the fifth instalment in the Kanchana horror film series. Besides starring in the film's lead role and producing it, Raghava Lawrence is also directing it from his own screenplay.