Film actor C Joseph Vijay has come close to leading a new government in Tamil Nadu’s political arena in southern India. Defying critics’ predictions, his party, Tamilaga Veetri Kazhagam (TVK), secured a clear majority in the recently held State Assembly elections on Monday. Vijay’s leadership has caused a significant stir in the established political framework. His political rise has been compared to the celebrated actor-turned-politician M.G. Ramachandran, who left the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in 1977 to form his own party and became Chief Minister.
While Vijay’s success has energized supporters and admirers alike, he still faces challenges before assuming the office of Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister. The state assembly consists of 234 seats, requiring a minimum of 118 wins to form a government. So far, Vijay’s party has won 108 seats, 10 short of a majority. This means he must form alliances with smaller parties and independent members to secure a ruling majority. Only then will he be able to stake a claim to govern Tamil Nadu.
The DMK and its main rival, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), have long dominated Tamil Nadu politics. In this context, TVK’s impressive performance signals a significant shift in the political landscape. Some analysts attribute Vijay’s success largely to his personal appeal. Social scientist Shiva Viswanathan remarked, “Vijay possesses exceptional zeal; he is driven by charisma, confidence, and personal competence, which gives him a unique energy.” After the elections, Vijay has been carefully cultivating his public image by addressing gatherings at temples, churches, and other venues, with images of his tours frequently appearing on television and mobile screens.
Tamil Nadu is well-known for its dramatic political transformations, where cinema and politics have been deeply intertwined. From Ramachandran to Jayalalithaa, actors have made successful forays into politics. Vijay is following this path, although his campaign differs in approach. Analysts note that while the influence of DMK and AIADMK remains strong, how personalities like Vijay convert popularity into political power is yet to be fully seen. Despite his success, the path ahead is challenging. The party faced a major setback in 2023 when a rally turned deadly, resulting in dozens of fatalities, yet voters appear to have forgiven him.
Vijay announced his entry into full-time politics in the film ‘Jananayagan’ (Leader of the People), which was scheduled for release in January but remains uncertain due to a hold by the Indian film certification board. Although he formally launched his party TVK in 2024, his political journey began much earlier. Since 2009, he has reorganized his ‘fan clubs’ to undertake relief, education, and welfare activities. In 2011, he tested his popularity by supporting coalitions of major parties to see if it translated into votes.
According to poll expert Pradeep Gupta, Vijay enjoys strong backing from young voters and women. The 18-to-39-year-old age bracket, which makes up around 42% of Tamil Nadu’s voter base and includes many first-time voters, largely supports him. Women are also increasingly drawn to his party. His support base includes marginalized communities as well. Political strategist Prashant Kishore stated, “Vijay is the new hope of Tamil Nadu.”
Social justice and welfare-oriented politics have also shown results in Tamil Nadu, with an 11.2% economic growth in the 2024/25 fiscal year. However, this progress has not diminished the demand for change. Stability brings its own challenges in attracting young voters seeking innovation. Vijay maintains a distinct standing compared to other film stars turned politicians like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. Citizens of Tamil Nadu admire film heroes not only for their on-screen persona but also for their ideals of justice.
His supporters say that people disillusioned with the two major parties are longing for change. A party spokesperson noted, “People see TVK as a symbol of change.”
