- By Swati Singh
- Mon, 04 May 2026 01:02 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Thalapathy Vijay, popularly known as Vijay by his fans, is one of the biggest stars in the South film industry. When he debuted as a child artist in Vetri, no one could have predicted he would one day dominate the industry with such undeniable charm and talent. After delivering back to back blockbusters, Vijay stepped into politics in 204. The actor announced retirement from movies before launching his own political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. As Tamil Nadu awaits 2026 election results, let us take a look at actor's journey from movies to politics.
Vijay's 1992 Movie Naalaiya Theerpu Flopped
Vijay faced a huge setback in 1992 when his debut movie Naalaiya Theerpu bombed at the box office. Vijay's father SA Chandrashekar, who directed the film, didn't loose hope on him despite the film not performing well. Later, the actor went on to star in several other movies, but failed to make a bigger impact. Chandrashekar refused to give up on Vijay and cast him in projects that kept his career alive. With that, he built a decent fan base.
The Ghilli Effect: Moment Vijay Became Untouchable
It was in 2004 when Vijay truly ruled hearts with the release of his massive blockbuster, Ghilli. It was the first Tamil film to gross over Rs 500 million at the domestic box office. After Ghilli, Vijay delivered several blockbusters like Thuppakki, Mersal, Master, Leo, among others. Over a three-decade career starting in the early 1990s, he built massive fan support in Tamil cinema, later achieving pan-India appeal.
Vijay Trades Silver Stage For Political Stage
The speculation surrounding Vijay's possible political entry started in 2013 whem Thalaiva hit the theatres. If Pritham K Chakravarthy is to be believed, then the 'seed was planted' by his father, who was keen on joining politics.
Vijay announced retirement from acting in February 2024. As quoted by Indian Expres, Vijay noted, "At the absolute height of my career, I am throwing it away, throwing away the salary I was drawing, and I am coming to you as your Vijay. I am placing all my trust in you."
He further added, "They first said my face wasn’t good. Then, they said my personality wasn’t good. Then, they shamed me about my style, my hair, my walk, etc… What really kept me together during those times was your (fans) support. It is that love and trust that has brought me to politics today. I am not the only one to be called Koothadi. When someone enters the cine field, they’re told their face isn’t right, their hair isn’t right, and they face humiliation. They still wait for a chance to work. Movies are not just about dance and songs; they are tools for social change. I ask if Koothadi is a slur or an insult. The word speaks of values, politics and truth."
Thalapathy Vijay To Become Next Chief Minister Of Tamil Nadu?
It seems that the sentence, "Vijay dhan varuvaaru (Vijay will come)," which became famous during the election campaign, is coming true. In a major political shift, actor Vijay’s party, Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has taken a historic initial lead in over 100 seats. If Vijay wins Tamil Nadu in 2026, he will become the state's first actor-turned Chief Minister since M.G. Ramachandran reshaped politics in 1977.
Conspiracies To Take Down Vijay Didn't Work
Vijay’s political journey has been marred by intense controversy, including a tragic rally stampede in Karur and a high-profile divorce involving allegations of misconduct. Despite these setbacks, he successfully leveraged his star power and Gen-Z's frustration with traditional parties like the DMK and AIADMK to gain momentum. By framing the BJP and DMK as his primary enemies and leaning into a persona rivaling Rajinikanth’s, Vijay has managed to transform personal and leadership scandals into a formidable political movement.
By championing youth, women and fisherfolk with bold promises like high-value education loans, increased welfare stipends and the first-ever MSP for fish, Vijay’s TVK has successfully captured the state's pulse. This surge has accomplished the 'impossible'—breaking the decades-long duopoly of the DMK and AIADMK. As the party inches toward the 118-seat majority mark, Vijay is poised to end the Dravidian dominance that has defined Tamil Nadu politics since 1967.