The political equation in Tamil Nadu entered uncharted territory on Saturday as actor-turned-politician Vijay emerged as the face of a dramatic power shift in the state.
After days of hectic negotiations following the election verdict, Governor Rajendra Arlekar invited the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief to form the government, ending the decades-long dominance of the DMK-AIADMK political axis.
Vijay, 51, is set to take oath as chief minister at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Sunday morning, capping an extraordinary rise from cinema superstar to the state’s most powerful political figure.
For years, Vijay’s political ambitions were the subject of speculation in Tamil cinema and political circles alike. But unlike many film stars who flirted with politics, the actor carefully built his public image through films that increasingly touched upon governance, corruption, education and welfare issues. Movies such as Mersal, Sarkar and Leo helped shape his image as more than just a commercial entertainer.
Behind the scenes, Vijay steadily transformed his fan clubs into grassroots support networks that engaged in welfare activities and local mobilisation. By the time he formally launched TVK in 2024, the groundwork for a political movement had already been laid across large parts of the state.
His party’s strong debut performance stunned established players and disrupted the traditional two-party structure that had defined Tamil Nadu politics for decades. However, falling short of a clear majority meant Vijay had to quickly shift gears from campaigner to coalition builder.
With the Assembly term nearing its end, negotiations intensified through the week before TVK managed to secure support from allies including the Congress, Left parties and the VCK. The backing helped Vijay cross the majority mark and paved the way for his appointment as chief minister-designate.
The swearing-in ceremony is expected to draw massive crowds, with supporters travelling from across Tamil Nadu to witness the moment. Several national opposition leaders are also likely to attend, highlighting the wider political significance of Vijay’s rise.
Even as celebrations erupt among his supporters, the challenges before the first-time chief minister remain enormous. Vijay now faces the task of converting his popularity and campaign promises into governance in one of India’s most politically aware and economically significant states.
For a man who dominated the box office for nearly three decades, the transition from mass hero to administrator may prove to be the defining role of his public life.
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