Ask Onix
From silver screen to political stage: Vijay's high-stakes transition
Tamil Nadu's latest film superstar-turned-politician, C Joseph Vijay, has formally retired from cinema to focus on his fledgling party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), ahead of the state's crucial April-May elections. The 51-year-old actor, known as "Thalapathy" (General) Vijay, follows a long tradition of Tamil cinema icons who have traded box-office fame for political power.
Tamil Nadu's cinematic-political legacy
Tamil Nadu has a unique history of actors becoming full-time politicians, with M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and J. Jayalalithaa both rising to the chief minister's office. More recent experiments by Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Khushbu, and Vijayakanth have met mixed success. Vijay's decision to quit acting mirrors the strategy of MGR and Jayalalithaa, who abandoned cinema before consolidating political influence. In contrast, Kamal Haasan's dual role in films and politics has yielded limited electoral gains, while Vijayakanth's party quickly lost momentum.
Vijay's calculated rise: From child actor to political contender
Vijay's career began in the 1980s as a child actor, launched as a lead in 1992 by his parents-filmmaker SA Chandrasekhar and singer Shoba Chandrasekhar. Despite an early flop, he built a career spanning nearly 70 films, evolving from a romantic hero to an "angry young man" and later a vigilante figure. Critics note his appeal stems from his box-office draw, dance skills, and populist storytelling rather than acting depth. Chennai-based film critic Aditya Shrikrishna observed, "He's not a Kamal Haasan or Rajinikanth in terms of filmography, but his fandom is vast and influential."
Academic and critic Pritham K Chakravarthy traced Vijay's political leanings to his father's Communist sympathies. Over the past decade, Vijay's films have increasingly reflected social justice themes, tackling farmers' distress (Kaththi), healthcare corruption (Mersal), women's sports (Bigil), and electoral manipulation (Sarkar). "His on-screen persona as an incorruptible, morally upright figure aligns with Dravidian politics' ethical imagination," Chakravarthy said.
Fan devotion and grassroots mobilization
Vijay's fan clubs have long doubled as political networks, with ritualistic celebrations-midnight screenings, towering cutouts, garlands, and drum performances-transforming film releases into mass civic events. His upcoming film, Jana Nayagan (The People's Hero), slated for release this month, is positioned as his cinematic farewell and a political manifesto. The film, opening in 5,000 theatres worldwide, blends CGI action with dialogue like, "I enter politics not to plunder, but to serve," blurring fiction and intent.
Electoral challenges and organizational hurdles
Despite his star power, Vijay faces skepticism over TVK's readiness. A deadly crowd crush at a September 2025 rally in Karur, which killed 40 people, drew criticism for his delayed response. Though he later met victims' families and announced financial aid, critics questioned his crisis management. Political analyst Sumanth C Raman noted, "His rallies draw massive crowds, but whether movie glamour translates into loyal votes remains uncertain."
TVK's platform centers on broad themes-anti-corruption, social justice, Tamil pride, and resistance to federal "authoritarianism"-but lacks detailed policies. Raman described it as "broad but shallow," while ruling DMK spokesperson Manuraj Shunmugasundaram dismissed Vijay's ambitions, stating, "Tamil Nadu has seen many Vijays. His party is untested electorally and lacks clear policies."
Alliances and electoral strategy
TVK has positioned itself against both the ruling DMK and the BJP, hinting at ties with the Congress party. However, analysts warn that such alliances could split the opposition vote. "Vijay could disrupt electoral dynamics if he aligns with the AIADMK to challenge the DMK, but his strategy remains unclear," Raman said. With Gen Z voters comprising nearly 20% of the electorate, Vijay's appeal among disillusioned youth could prove decisive.
Box-office dominance vs. political reality
As Jana Nayagan premieres, Vijay's transition from cinema to politics marks the end of an era. His films have long mirrored Dravidian political narratives, and his fanbase's devotion borders on the devotional. Yet, Tamil Nadu's electoral history is unforgiving to half-measures. Whether Vijay's star power can overcome organizational weaknesses and policy gaps will determine if he joins the ranks of MGR and Jayalalithaa-or becomes another cautionary tale.
