Introduction
Indian superstar C Joseph Vijay, known as "Thalapathy" Vijay, has launched his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in 2024. He announced his retirement from films to pursue politics full-time, with his upcoming film, Jana Nayagan (The People's Hero), serving as his farewell release. Vijay emphasized that politics requires full commitment from voters.
Tamil Nadu's Political-Cinematic Tradition
Tamil Nadu has a history of cinema icons transitioning into successful political careers, including M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa, both of whom became chief ministers. This tradition highlights a requirement for full dedication to politics, as observed in the limited electoral results of hybrid approaches taken by other figures like Kamal Haasan.
Vijay's Career Evolution and Public Image
Vijay, 51, has appeared in nearly 70 films over three decades. His career evolved from playing romantic heroes in the late 1990s to an 'angry young man' in the 2000s, eventually cultivating an image as a saviour and vigilante after 2012. He consciously projected a saviour figure rooted in social justice, addressing themes such as farmers' distress, healthcare corruption, women's sports, and electoral manipulation in his movies. Film critic Aditya Shrikrishna noted his significant box office pull and fandom, while film academic Pritham K Chakravarthy stated his on-screen persona as incorruptible and morally upright resonated with the ethical imagination of Dravidian politics.
Political Foundation Through Cinema
Long before formal party launch, Vijay's cinema laid ideological groundwork. Audio launches for his films often served as political addresses, and his fan clubs evolved into grassroots networks. His film releases often become significant public events.
Jana Nayagan and Political Messaging
His final film, Jana Nayagan, incorporates political imagery and rhetoric, with dialogue such as, "I enter politics not to plunder, but to serve." The film reflects his stated political intentions. Vijay has criticized the ruling DMK and positioned himself against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Public Reception and Challenges
Political analyst Sumanth C Raman noted Vijay's considerable following among Gen Z voters, many of whom are reportedly disillusioned with Tamil Nadu's long-ruling Dravidian parties. They view Vijay as a potential alternative. However, a crowd crush at a TVK rally in September 2025 in Karur resulted in 40 fatalities, drawing criticism regarding the party's organizational readiness and Vijay's leadership. Chakravarthy considered Vijay's initial response to the tragedy a "red flag," although Vijay later called the event "shattering" and provided financial aid to victims' families.
Political Platform
Vijay's platform currently includes broad themes such as anti-corruption, social justice, Tamil pride, and resistance to what he describes as federal government authoritarianism. Raman described this platform as broad but lacking a detailed program or manifesto. The ruling DMK has dismissed his political ambitions.