TN elections: Udhayanidhi’s income plummets while wife Kiruthiga's assets soar

As Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Thursday (April 2) filed his nomination to contest the upcoming state elections from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Assembly constituency in Chennai, it was revealed that his personal income has seen a dramatic fall over the past two financial years. Her wife, Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi’s income and wealth, in contrast, registered a sharp surge. She is a filmmaker, producer, and investor.

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Udhayanidhi's gross income plummets

According to the affidavit, Udhayanidhi’s total gross income peaked at Rs 7.94 crore in 2022-23 but nosedived to just over Rs 10 lakh in both 2023-24 and 2024-25. On the other hand, Kiruthiga declared an income of Rs 2.92 crore for 2024-25, marking a huge jump from the Rs 35-Rs 45 lakh range in the preceding years, and 28 times more than that of her husband for the same period.

As of March 23, 2026, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader’s total self-declared assets stood at approximately Rs 20.64 crore, down from roughly Rs 27.67 crore in his 2021 election nomination papers. Movable assets have also declined significantly, though immovable assets have shown a modest rise of about Rs 1.18 crore.

Kiruthiga’s movable assets have grown substantially and now form a major part of the family’s wealth. The power couple also acquired two new luxury vehicles in Udhayanidhi’s name since his last election: a Land Rover Defender—purchased on May 26, 2023, for Rs 1 crore and a Toyota Innova Crysta—purchased on December 16, 2022, for Rs 23 lakh.

Udhayanidhi’s wife's investments

Kruthiga also declared significant investments in the nomination papers. Her holdings in listed companies carry a market value of Rs 9,47,534, while investments in unlisted companies are shown at a book value of Rs 1,40,300. The papers further reveal that she has invested Rs 2,63,58,142 in Red Giant Movies, founded by Udhayanidhi, and Rs 5,76,23,762 in Raj Promoters Private Limited.

Udhayanidhi is also facing approximately 10 criminal cases, most of which are linked to his controversial speech on ‘Sanatana Dharma’ delivered in 2023.

Udhayanidhi doesn't give details of son's assets

However, Udhayanidhi did not include any details of the assets or income of his son Inban Udhayanidhi in the latest election affidavit. Inban became the CEO of Red Giant Movies in September 2025.

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Political analyst Siva Ilango of the Leaders Political Academy observed that this omission differs from the approach taken by actor Vijay of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazgaham, who declared details of family members in his nomination papers even though they did not live together. He also noted that if Inban is still unmarried, he could arguably be considered a dependent, and his particulars should have been furnished.

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Former Chief Election Commissioner TS Krishnamurthy clarified that candidates do not need to include the names of their children in the election affidavit once those heirs become financially independent. “If the candidate’s son or daughter becomes financially independent or lives on their own, there is no need to add their name,” he said.