Jayalalitha has turned out to be a failure as chief minister.

Host: The room is quiet, the hum of the world outside barely audible. The soft light of the evening settles over the space, casting long shadows as the sun slips lower in the sky. Jeeny sits at the table, her fingers lightly tapping the edge of her cup, her mind clearly lost in thought. Jack stands near the window, arms folded, his gaze fixed on the street below, lost in his own reflection. The air between them feels charged, like a conversation is waiting to unfold.

Jeeny: (her voice gentle, yet curious) “You ever think about how the way we view success and failure can be so subjective? How people’s perceptions of someone’s leadership can shift depending on what they value most?”

Jack: (glancing at her, his voice dry, but intrigued) “Perception is everything, right? People have different ways of defining success. But what do you mean by that?”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, her eyes thoughtful) “I was reading something by Subramanian Swamy, and he said, ‘Jayalalitha has turned out to be a failure as chief minister.’ It made me think about how strong and absolute statements like that shape how we remember people, even their entire legacies. What does it really mean to be a failure in someone’s eyes? And how do we measure a leader’s true impact?”

Jack: (pauses, his brow furrowing slightly, his voice reflective) “So, you’re saying that someone’s success or failure might not be as straightforward as it seems? That it’s all about the lens through which you look at it?”

Jeeny: (smiling gently, her voice calm but firm) “Exactly. Jayalalitha’s time as chief minister was filled with both praise and criticism. Some saw her as a powerful, transformative leader, while others saw her as a failure due to certain actions or decisions. But how do we define failure? Is it only about what you achieve, or is it about the context of your choices, your legacy, and the impact you have on others? When we define someone’s career in such strong terms, it becomes a reflection of our values, not just an objective truth.”

Host: The air between them grows quieter, like the conversation has opened a space to look deeper into the complexities of success and failure. Jack remains still, his gaze softening as he processes her words. The evening outside continues, but the room feels more alive with this new understanding.

Jack: (his voice slower now, more introspective) “I see what you mean. Success and failure aren’t just black and white. It’s about perspective. One person’s failure could be another’s victory, depending on what they value most in leadership. Some might see Jayalalitha’s decisions as mistakes, while others might see them as necessary sacrifices for the larger good.”

Jeeny: (nodding, her smile warm, but filled with quiet insight) “Exactly. And that’s why it’s so important to approach these judgments with humility and understanding. We often label people as successes or failures based on a narrow view, but we need to remember that their journey—like anyone’s—is complex and multi-faceted. A leader’s legacy is not just about what they did, but about the context in which they operated.”

Jack: (pauses for a moment, his expression shifting as if he’s come to a new understanding) “So, maybe we should stop using such absolute terms like ‘failure’ or ‘success’ when talking about people and leaders. Maybe it’s more about seeing the nuance—understanding the bigger picture before jumping to conclusions.”

Jeeny: (her voice gentle, but filled with quiet confidence) “Exactly. It’s easy to look at the end result, the surface-level actions, and label them, but the true measure of someone’s leadership, their true impact, often lies beneath that. In the way they navigate their challenges, how they adapt, and the long-term effect they leave behind.”

Host: The room feels calmer now, as though a weight has shifted between them, creating space for deeper thought and understanding. Jack turns slightly toward Jeeny, his expression softer, more open to the complexity of the conversation. The world outside continues its steady rhythm, but inside, there’s a shared understanding that success and failure are not absolutes. They are deeply personal, subjective experiences shaped by the lens through which we choose to view them. And in that understanding, both Jeeny and Jack see the power of context, nuance, and humility in evaluating the lives of others.