CM Vijay’s Poverty Claims Called ‘Bullsh*t’ by Schoolmate Manu Joseph: A Reality Check
‘Affluent Boys Confuse Being Broke with Poverty’: Manu Joseph Calls Out CM Vijay’s ‘Hunger’ Claims. Chennai, May 12, 2026 — Just days after C. Joseph Vijay made history by taking the oath as the first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from outside the DMK-AIADMK duopoly, his maiden speech has hit a major roadblock. While the actor-politician’s emotional address about "knowing the pain of hunger and poverty" moved many of his supporters to tears, one person wasn't buying it: his former classmate and renowned author, Manu Joseph. Manu Joseph In a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), the Serious Men author and Decoupled creator pulled no punches, labeling the Chief Minister’s rags-to-riches narrative as "bullsh*t." The Classmate’s Reality Check The controversy stems from Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony at Nehru Stadium on Sunday. Addressing the massive crowd, Vijay framed himself as a common man who clawed his way up, stating: "I know what poverty is and what hunger is...