PT SELVAKUMAR OF KALAPPAI MAKKAL IYAKKAM FELICITATED!
A felicitation ceremony was held in Chennai on January 23, 2026, at Bharani Studio in Vadapalani, Chennai, for P. T. Selvakumar, the founder of the Kalappai Makkal Iyakkam, who has entered the political arena after joining the DMK, and is also the former manager of actor Vijay.
This felicitation ceremony was organized to honor him for his contributions as a public relations officer in the film industry, during which he facilitated the release of over 100 films, and for constructing auditoriums and classrooms in 25 government schools in the Kanyakumari district through the Kalappai Makkal Iyakkam.
Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker M. Appavu, film director and actor K. Bhagyaraj, director Vikraman, journalist Nakkeeran Gopal, actor S. V. Sekhar, actress Devayani, and film producer Five Star Kathiresan, among others, participated in the event and congratulated and wished P. T. Selvakumar.
Speaking at the event, Appavu said, “My relative, my younger brother P. T. Selvakumar, is traveling in the world of arts with dignity, honesty, and discipline. I commend him for that. For many years, P. T. Selvakumar has been organizing the Samathuva Pongal festival in the Kanyakumari region. 3006 women prepare Samathuva Pongal in 3006 pots on a grand scale. I have attended that magnificent event.
Similarly, like Kamaraj, his involvement in educational service is also significant. He has built classrooms and permanent auditoriums in schools in many villages in Kanyakumari, including Vellalanvilai, Pottalvilai, Manakkudi, Ilanthaiyadivilai, and Kovalam. There is a village called Mayiladi. In the school there, the Macaulay education system was introduced by Lord Macaulay during the British rule.” “P.T. Selvakumar has even constructed buildings in that historically significant school. All this can only be done if one has good intentions. Along with social service, he has come to the DMK’s headquarters in politics. He will be treated with self-respect throughout his life and will continue to serve the people. My best wishes for his continued public service,” he said.
Director K. Bhagyaraj said, “I extend two sets of wishes to P.T. Selvakumar. Firstly, he has served well in the fields of journalism and cinema for so long and has earned a good name. That’s my first wish. My second wish is for his entry into politics. He came to see me two days ago. He put a small ring on my finger. He said there would be a small function and asked me to come. When I came here, I saw that it’s a big political event.
To help others, one doesn’t necessarily need financial resources. A good heart is enough. P.T. Selvakumar has that heart. I have heard about his educational services. My best wishes for his continued service!”
He further added, “I have known Director P.T. Selvakumar for over 30 years. He has taken on many roles: journalist, film producer, director, and actor. He acted in the film ‘Nattamai’. Perhaps because of that, he himself became a ‘Nattamai’ (village headman), mediating and helping release numerous films that were stuck in problems and couldn’t be released. I know about the work of his Kalappai Makkal Iyakkam (Plough People’s Movement). In cinema, he was with Thalapathy Vijay. In politics, he is with Thalapathy Stalin. Just as he has achieved great things in cinema and social service, I wish him great success in politics as well.”
Actor S.V. Shekhar said, “P.T. Selvakumar continuously does good things. Those who do good things should remain healthy and well. That is important.” “Some people who set out to do good deeds will announce that they are giving away sewing machines worth seven thousand rupees, but then they’ll spend forty thousand rupees on posters and organizing the event. But if P.T. Selvakumar had forty thousand rupees, he would think of using the entire amount to help others. I wish such a person well and hope his service continues,” he said.
Journalist Nakkeeran Gopal, while speaking, quoted the Thirukkural verse, ‘He who understands the oneness of life lives; the other is counted among the dead,’ and praised P.T. Selvakumar’s social work. He also pointed out that such work would not have been possible without his wife’s cooperation and praised and congratulated her as well.
“Instead of merely being born, living, and dying, I wanted to help the poor and needy in whatever way I could, following Kamaraj’s path in providing education. That’s why I involved myself in social service. I do everything with great effort. I believe that hard work will not go unrewarded,” said P.T. Selvakumar in his opening speech. He briefly described his early days in journalism and his experiences in the film industry. He spoke about his acquaintance and close relationship with those who had come to the event, welcomed them, and honored them by draping shawls around them.
