India's southern state of Tamil Nadu has a long, peculiar political tradition: here, cinema doesn't merely entertain, it also governs.
From the potent political tenures of MG Ramachandran - popularly known as MGR - and Jayalalithaa to the more ambiguous ambitions of figures like Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan, Tamil Nadu has witnessed cinema legends transition to political roles. MGR and Jayalalithaa even held the position of chief ministers.
Joining this distinctive list is Tamil superstar C Joseph Vijay, known affectionately as Thalapathy Vijay. He officially launched his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in 2024, declaring soon after his intention to retire from films to focus on politics full-time. His upcoming film, Jana Nayagan (The People's Hero), will mark his farewell to cinema.
Vijay's rationale is clear: he believes that politics should only be approached with full dedication. Drawing on Tamil Nadu's historical patterns, he acknowledges that the electorate deserves unwavering commitment.
Historically, the most influential leaders such as MGR and Jayalalithaa distanced themselves from the limelight of cinema before consolidating political power. Conversely, Kamal Haasan's dual engagement in film and politics has yielded limited success, while others like Vijayakanth have seen their political initiatives lose momentum.
It is against this backdrop that Jana Nayagan is being released. Integrating rich political symbolism and themes, the film will premiere in nearly 5,000 theaters across India and abroad this month. At 51 years old, Vijay is stepping away from a successful acting career to pursue a challenging political landscape, where he remains one of the cinema's most bankable stars, with a robust fan following.
Chennai-based film critic Aditya Shrikrishna highlighted that Vijay's appeal isn't solely based on exceptional acting but also on his influence over a vast fan base. His on-screen portrayals resonate with a significant segment of Tamil Nadu's populace, having etched himself as a reliable hero in social justice narratives.
Vijay's stardom is rooted in a rich history; born into a family with a political legacy, his father sought to take a political plunge. Beginning his career as a child actor in the 1980s, he ascended to prominence steadily over three decades and is now celebrated for nearly 70 films.
Though his early characters often embodied hyper-masculine tropes, he has since endeavored to project a more socially conscious image, addressing concerns like farmers' rights and healthcare corruption through films such as Kaththi and Mersal.
Long before his political launch, Vijay’s cinema had been subtly sowing the seeds of his political ambitions; his film events often doubled as informal political gatherings. His intense fandom fosters a culture of enthusiastic support, seen in the extravagant celebrations during his film releases.
As Jana Nayagan hits theaters, Vijay's onscreen mythology is resonating with his political narrative, blurring the lines between entertainment and political intent. His speeches critique ruling powers, while positioning him as a fresh alternative for young Tamil Nadu voters, especially amid a fatigue over over 50 years of dominance by Dravidian parties.
However, following a crowd tragedy at one of his rallies that left 40 dead, doubts have surfaced about his party's organizational readiness, with critics warning of superficial popularity not translating to electoral strength. Beyond general themes of promise, concrete policies and strategies are still lacking from Vijay’s political agenda.
As Tamil Nadu prepares for elections, with a significant Gen Z electorate, Vijay's political journey may yet face rigorous testing among a deeply entrenched political landscape. Political analyst Sumanth C Raman underscores this uncertainty with respect to whether Vijay's cinema legacy can indeed flourish in the harsh realm of politics.
