In what can be seen as a seismic shift in the political landscape of Tamil Nadu, widely acclaimed Tamil movie actor Vijay, also known as ‘Thalapathy’ by his fans, has officially marked his entry into state politics with the announcement of his own political party. On February 2, Vijay unveiled the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam party, a significant move juxtaposing the realms of cinema and politics with his considerable charisma and popularity.
Vijay’s intent to reshape Tamil Nadu’s political dynamics rests on a platform fervently opposing corruption and societal division. Firmly setting his eyes on the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, he made clear that his party would refrain from contesting in the immediate Lok Sabha elections and would not endorse any candidate.
Currently standing as Tamil Nadu’s most formidable star, the actor turned politician, now also serving as the founder-president of Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam, highlighted ongoing struggles in the state, particularly targeting maladministration and corruption. He spoke to the people’s aspiration for a form of governance that exudes selflessness, transparency, and is devoid of caste or religious discrimination. Vijay underscored his commitment to promulgating ideologies that resonate with Tamil culture, state political traditions, and the Indian Constitution.
The actor’s transition into politics is the culmination of years of strategic groundwork, transforming his fan association into the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (VMI), a broad-based social collective which has now evolved into a full-fledged political party. Amidst these developments, Bussy Anand, the general secretary of VMI, embarked to New Delhi to commence the party’s registration with the Election Commission of India.
Through a detailed three-page declaration, Vijay expounded on the party’s strategies, which involve disseminating its Tamil Nadu-centric ideology post the Lok Sabha elections through a slew of public engagements. In the interim, efforts will be geared towards political training for the party’s cadre, fortifying grassroots connections, and democratically appointing office-bearers.
Asserting a deep personal commitment to politics beyond mere occupational pursuit, Vijay regards it as a “sacred service to the people.” He stated, “I have been privy to the intricacies of politics from observing senior politicians. Politics is more than a hobby; it’s my quest.”
Vijay’s road to political engagement has not been without its share of controversies stemming from multiple run-ins with established political entities in Tamil Nadu over the past decade and a half, including both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
During DMK’s tenure (2006-2011), Vijay’s movie ‘Kaavalan’ (2011) encountered release hitches, widely believed to be due to interference from party members. Additionally, post the Sri Lankan civil war, Vijay publicly criticized both the Central and State governments for not protecting Tamil fishermen from the Sri Lankan Navy.
Under AIADMK’s regime, Vijay faced issues with the release of ‘Thalaivaa’ (2013), which was mired in retrospections due to its evocative tagline. The actor appealed to then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and agreed to drop the contentious tagline.
Furthermore, his criticism extends beyond regional outfits to the national level, as exemplified in a recent film ‘Mersal’, which included dialogue critical of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This invoked the ire of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, with senior member H. Raja controversially attributing religious identity to the dialogue.
Vijay’s interactions with diverse political figures, including Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and social activist Anna Hazare, have continuously fueled speculation about his political aspirations.
With this critical leap, Vijay’s Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam stands poised to infuse new energy into Tamil Nadu state politics, aiming to steer the discourse towards transparent, inclusive, and culturally resonant governance as the State watches on with bated breath.
