The political legacy of South India is closely tied to the film industry, particularly in Tamil Nadu. This state has a significant influence on the South Asian region, which includes both India and Sri Lanka. Tamil Nadu has notably amplified its voice in support of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.
While the LTTE fought for a separate state, Tamil Nadu also advocated for the creation of a separate state for the Tamil people of Sri Lanka. Some critics argue that Tamil Nadu politicians voiced their support for the Sri Lankan Tamils primarily to gain the backing of their own constituents in Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu politics is a significant force that has shaped various situations over time. Jayalalithaa Jayaram and M. Karunanidhi are prominent political figures who have left a lasting impact. For many decades, power in Tamil Nadu shifted back and forth between them.
Currently, a new situation has emerged in Tamil Nadu due to the political journey of Vijay, also known as Thalapathy Vijay, a highly popular actor in South Indian cinema.
His fans’ reaction to his decision to quit acting for politics remains uncertain, but many appear to be rallying for his success.
Thalapathy Vijay enters politics from a new party
He has begun the political activities of his new party, focusing on the Tamil Nadu state elections scheduled for 2026. At the inaugural convention of his party held on October 27, Thalapathy Vijay expressed his desire to bring about change in Tamil Nadu.
”The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam” is his party. At the party’s first convention, Thalapathy Vijay stated that he expects his party to secure a majority in the 2026 Tamil Nadu state elections.
Criticism at the beginning of Vijay’s journey
Various criticisms are being directed at Thalapathy Vijay’s political journey. Some people question whether he can succeed in politics as a film actor. While critics acknowledge that Vijay is a brilliant actor, they argue that he may struggle in the political arena. Additionally, some suggest that governing Tamil Nadu involves a different set of challenges, and Vijay has yet to grasp their true significance.
Vijay addresses the criticisms directed at him by highlighting the depth of cinema. During the first convention of his party, he made it clear that cinema is more than just songs, dance, or entertainment. He reminded everyone of the rich system of art, literature, life, and culture that exists in Tamil Nadu. Additionally, he noted that cinema has played a crucial role in popularising the Dravidian ideology among the masses.
Two main political ideologies can be identified in Tamil Nadu: Tamil ideology and Tamil nationalism. Tamil ideology is a rationalist and social justice-based belief system that includes all speakers of Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Tulu. In contrast, Tamil nationalism asserts that Tamil Nadu should be exclusively for Tamil speakers. Vijay’s ideology remains unclear.
Many people are interested in determining which ideology Thalapathy Vijay will align with. In the meantime, he has suggested that both ideologies are like our two eyes—equally important. However, he has not specified which ideology he will prioritise.
Giving up the popularity of cinema for politics
However, his commitment to politics is remarkable. He announced that he will temporarily retire from cinema, giving up the extreme popularity he had in Tamil cinema. That was last February. In the same month he started his new political party ”The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam”.
He took steps to release the official flag and anthem of the party in August. Additionally, he successfully convened the first congress of his party, which drew a large crowd and took place on the 27th. Traditional political parties in Tamil Nadu were surprised by his ability to organise such a conference just eight months after starting the party.
The son of two popular artists
S. A. Joseph Vijay was born on June 22, 1974, in Chennai. He is a Tamil film actor and director and the son of S.A. Chandrasekhar and Shoba, a singer. Vijay made his film debut in 1992 with “Naliya Therappu,” directed by his father, and has been fortunate to act in many popular South Indian films since then.
He has also sung 29 songs for films. To date, he has acted in 68 released films, with “GOAT” being his most recent project. Some scenes for this film were also shot in various locations across Sri Lanka.
Political history of Tamil Nadu written for artists
In February 2024, Vijay announced that he would temporarily retire from cinema to focus on his political involvement. He is a highly popular figure, and his fans have affectionately given him the title “Thalapathy Vijay.” The term “Thalapathy” translates to “leader” or “chief.” Many former Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, who frequently make headlines, are also recognised for their significant popularity in South Indian cinema.
M. Karunanidhi served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on four occasions. He was also a screenwriter in South Indian cinema. Currently, M.K. Stalin, Karunanidhi’s son, holds the position of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Additionally, Jayalalithaa Jayaram, who served as Chief Minister five times, was a highly popular actress in South Indian cinema.
In addition to them, M. G. Ramachandran, also known as M.G.R., and his wife Janaki Ramachandran, who became the chief minister after his death, can be recognised as prominent figures who entered politics due to their popularity in cinema. Thus, Tamil Nadu can be seen as a place where the political landscape is particularly favourable for artists.
