Udhayanidhi Stalin is one of the most prominent faces of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and currently serves as Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister. The son of Chief Minister MK Stalin and grandson of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Udhayanidhi entered active politics after building a successful career in the Tamil film industry as a producer, distributor and actor. An alumnus of Loyola College, Chennai, he heads the DMK’s youth wing and has emerged as one of the party’s key campaigners in recent years.

Udhayanidhi made his electoral debut in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, contesting from the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency. He won the seat by a margin of 93,285 votes, marking his formal entry into electoral politics. In December 2022, he was inducted into the Tamil Nadu Cabinet as the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development. Less than two years later, in September 2024, he was elevated as the Deputy Chief Minister. He has once again filed his nomination from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni for the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled for April 23.

How Much Wealth Has Udhayanidhi Stalin Declared? According to the affidavit submitted with his nomination papers, Udhayanidhi has declared assets worth Rs 20.64 crore, more than three times the Rs 6.25 crore declared by Chief Minister MK Stalin in his own election affidavit. His declared assets include moveable assets of Rs 12.92 crore, immoveable assets of around Rs 7.72 crore as well as construction on immoveable properties worth Rs 42.92 lakh, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Cars, Bank Deposits And Properties: According to the affidavit, Udhayanidhi owns a Land Rover Defender valued at around Rs 1 crore and a Toyota Innova worth approximately Rs 23 lakh. He has Rs 50,000 in cash and around Rs 23 lakh deposited in his savings accounts. He has also opened a separate bank account with Rs 10 lakh for election-related expenses. His immoveable assets include 10.47 acres of agricultural land at Sunguvarchathiram near Chennai and a 2,400-square-foot residential property in Chennai’s Velachery. The affidavit further states that he has outstanding liabilities of Rs 1.55 lakh.

What About His Wife’s Assets? His wife, Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi, a filmmaker and director employed with a private firm, declared moveable assets worth Rs 13.25 crore. She does not own any immoveable property, according to the affidavit. For the financial year 2024-25, Udhayanidhi declared an income of Rs 10.40 lakh, while Kiruthiga reported an income of Rs 2.92 crore.

Cases Against Udhayanidhi Stalin: According to his election affidavit, 10 criminal cases are currently pending against Udhayanidhi, primarily related to allegations of hurting religious sentiments. The cases remain pending before various courts.

Recent Controversy Over Remarks On Vijay And Trisha: Most recently, Udhayanidhi found himself at the centre of a political controversy over remarks made during a protest on the Cauvery water-sharing issue in Thanjavur. While criticising the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, party workers began chanting actor Trisha’s name. Responding to the chants, Udhayanidhi remarked, “Even if water doesn’t come to our place, water must reach there. That’s all he cares about.”

The comment quickly went viral on social media, drawing criticism from opposition parties and several public figures. Former Telangana Governor and senior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan accused him of making a derogatory remark that belittled a woman, while others criticised him for dragging a female actor into political discourse during a political speech. The episode added to a series of controversies in which Udhayanidhi has faced criticism over remarks involving women or the personal lives of his political opponents.