Based on fan base and disillusionment with mainstream parties, actor Vijay’s TVK is trying to make a political change in Tamil Nadu.
C. Joseph Vijay, dressed in a crisp white shirt and light brown pants, walks on stage in Salem on February 13, 2026. Now he is not just a film actor but the President of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). In the background, slogans of “Unga Vijay, Unga Vijay” are heard and the crowd starts shouting. He starts the speech, “There is only one person who will stand by you in every nook and cranny, that is Vijay. I hope that I will be the savior of Tamil Nadu. Today, this Vijay, your Vijay, has not come just to ask for votes from you. I have come to ask for justice. I have come into politics to ask for justice for you.”
Vijay made his Kollywood debut in 1992 at the age of 18 with a lead role in the film Nalaya Theerpu. The director was his father S.A. It was Chandrashekhar. After that, between 1996 and 2000, he hoisted his flag with films like Poove Unakkaga, Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, Nairukku Nair, Thulladha Manmum Thullum and Kushi. His popularity reached its peak with films like Thirumalai, Ghilli and Pokkiri.
Former editor-in-chief of the popular newspaper Hindu and director of Hindu Publishing Group, N. Ram says, “I have heard that Vijay was thinking of starting a political party on the basis of his star appeal for many years. I think people around him explained to him that this is the right time, because the collapse of AIADMK is creating space.”
In Salem, Vijay calls TVK an extension of Dravidian politics. They are C.N. DMK’s 1967 victory under Annadurai and M.G. He points to AIADMK’s 1977 victory under Ramachandran’s leadership, and says both reshaped Tamil Nadu politics and increased youth participation.
The ideological direction of the party was decided at the first state-level conference in October 2024. Then he met Periyar, Dr. Ambedkar, K. Kamaraj cited Velu Nachiyar (Queen of Sivagangai who waged war against the East India Company) and Anjalai Ammal (freedom fighter) as his mentors. In the same programme, he had described DMK as TVK’s political opponent and BJP as ideological opponent.
A controversy has also emerged with this. The Election Commission on 22 January 2026 allotted the election symbol CT to TVK, which was earlier given to the party of actor Prakash Raj and late comedian Mayilsamy in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Controversy was associated with TVK from the very beginning. On September 27, 2025, at least 41 people were killed and more than 100 were injured in a stampede at a TVK rally in Karur, central Tamil Nadu. There was mourning in the state due to such an incident.
Then after the initial tweet, his first video message came three days later, in which he expressed remorse, but refused to accept that he had any responsibility for the accident. TVK did not take any responsibility and blamed the ruling DMK and the police. This may have tarnished his image, but around Vijay there is a gathering of people who have left the old party or are victims of disillusionment. Former Puducherry MLA N. Anand alias Bussi Anand is the general secretary of the party and is engaged in giving political shape to Vijay Fan Club. Old AIADMK leader K.A. Sengottaiyan became the chief convenor in November 2025 and is the organizing secretary in-charge of Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur and Nilgiri districts.
Similarly, experienced speaker Nanjil Sampath, who had served in DMK, MDMK and AIADMK, joined in December 2025. Former VCK member Aadhav Arjun became the general secretary in-charge of publicity, while CTR Nirmal Kumar, who was the head of the IT branch in AIADMK, was made in-charge of social media. Former DMK MLA S. David Selwyn took over the work of local organization.
Vijay’s chances of victory are being assessed against the parties of actors who have already entered politics. In 2005, Vijayakanth’s DMDK got about 8.5 percent votes in the 2006 assembly elections and 10.5 percent votes in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. Then he was considered to be spoiling the game of AIADMK. But in 2011, it formed an alliance with AIADMK and after fighting 40 seats, it won 29 seats. But in 2016, it fell face down with 2.4 percent vote share.
N. In Ram’s opinion, Vijay’s entry in the elections is important but may not make much difference. He says, “They are drawing crowds, but will this crowd convert into votes? And will the votes convert into seats?” He says that Vijay lacks a strong political structure. DMK’s strength has been its long-trained cadre at every level. He also says that AIADMK voters are still loyal to MGR and Jayalalitha.
Ram says that MGR honed his thinking in DMK before forming his own party, while N.T. Rama Rao had shown political wisdom before starting his party. Vijayakanth, despite less success, “was a more serious political figure.” He consistently contested elections, expressed his views and achieved respect even with a single digit vote share. Ram warns that big rallies alone do not translate into votes. Vijay will have to move beyond his mention in speeches and talk about collective leadership, clear policies and a reasonable manifesto. Whether they can do so “remains to be seen.”
Vijay’s support base is, in fact, a fan club, but it is spread across different constituencies and especially among the youth. The problem is also that Vijay’s political affiliations have been changing. In August 2011, during the UPA rule, he met Anna Hazare at Jantar Mantar during the India Against Corruption protest. In the same year, he and his father AIADMK General Secretary J. Met Jayalalithaa, and offered support to Vijay Makkal Iyakkam. He met Rahul Gandhi in 2010 when DMK was part of the UPA. At that time, DMK did not view that meeting favorably. In April 2014 he met Narendra Modi in Coimbatore. During the 2021 assembly elections, he went to his polling booth on a bicycle. This was seen as support for the DMK.
Therefore, there are many dilemmas among the people regarding Vijay. Senior journalist Kolahal Srinivas says that almost all TVK supporters are fans of Vijay, and he doubts that apart from this he will get support from anywhere. His Kohalas TV tried to gauge Vijay’s support base through a survey. The first survey was conducted in May 2025 and the second earlier this year. He says, “These surveys clearly show the urban-rural divide across the state. There is very little support in North Chennai. In areas like Villupuram, there is more support for TVK, which shows that the party’s base is limited to some urban and town areas.”
Vijay’s campaign was to get a boost with the release of Jan Nayakan on 9 January. This was a smart strategy because people would pay to see Vijay and listen to him. However, the release has been put on hold until late April.
The producer was informed on 22 December 2025 that the review committee has recommended granting a U/A 16+ certificate with some changes. The producer agreed. After that, the production house was told that another committee had been sent to review the film.
The production house approached the Madras High Court through a writ petition and obtained a favorable order. However, the CBFC appealed and obtained a stay, and the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the interim order. Following that, a division bench directed a fresh hearing, following which the production house decided not to proceed with the case and agreed to a review.
This was a political battle being fought in the court, which was seen as pressure from the BJP to force an alliance. Vijay’s team did not seem ready for this. Vijay’s fans are waiting for his next step and film.
