Vijay Who Emerged In Tamil Nadu: A Journey From Film To Politics To Heroism. A new force has emerged rapidly in Tamil Nadu politics, where power has been changing hands between India’s two major parties. The actor C. Joseph Vijay-led party has shown strong signs of challenging the established political equation and taking over the reins of power.
With the results of the assembly elections in five states coming in, Tamil Nadu has given a message of new leadership and alternative power in the country’s politics. Judging by the latest election trends, Vijay is likely to become the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
The result is seen as a historic turning point in Tamil Nadu politics, which has been dominated by two main regional parties for decades. Vijay, whose film ‘Jannanayak’ was banned from release, is on his way to becoming the Chief Minister.
Although his film was not released, two sentences uttered in its trailer, titled ‘First Roar’, won the hearts of the common people. In the trailer, Vijay had said, ‘I am coming, and I have no intention of going back.’ It is this determination of his that seems to have brought him closer to political success today.
Vijay, 51, who has been a superstar in Tamil films for three decades, quit acting at the peak of his career to enter full-time politics. In his rallies, he has repeatedly said that he has given up everything and entered the election fray only to serve the people.
Unique use of technology in campaigning
Vijay’s election campaign was in the news for its unprecedented use of technology. He made extensive use of ‘hologram’ technology in election rallies, which was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024.
Although Modi later reduced his use, Vijay created a separate craze among voters by making his presence known through holograms in the villages of Tamil Nadu. Where he could not physically reach, his style of reaching the public through holograms made a huge impact.
In addition, he also used his own ‘mannequins’. He effectively combined holograms and audio to bring the ‘Sithi’ (whistle) symbol, which was given by the Election Commission on January 22, 2026, to the masses.
The call ‘Are you ready to whistle?’ and the song ‘Whistle Podu’ played a significant role in popularising his election symbol, which has been viewed more than 80 million times on YouTube.
From Film to Politics: A Journey to Heroism
Vijay has brought about a fundamental change in the stories and characters of his films in recent years. From a mere hero who fights and fights, he has transformed into a mass hero who tackles the neglected problems of society.
He has made election rigging, corruption in the health sector, women’s sports and farmers’ issues, which have been overlooked by film, media and literature, the mainstay of his films. In this way, by connecting himself with the basic problems of the people through the screen, he has established his image as a superhero.
Worker Mechanism: From Fan Club to Political Machine
TVK’s current success is the result of a decade-long, well-planned process. In 2009, Vijay integrated his scattered fan clubs and formed a welfare organisation called ‘Vijay Makkal Iyakkam’ (VMI). While other artists limited fan clubs to mere celebrations, Vijay developed it into a mechanism for social work and spreading political awareness.
The 2021 local body elections proved to be a crucial ‘test’ for TVK. Encouraged by Vijay, VMI members, who had become independent candidates, surprised everyone by winning more than 115 of the 169 seats.
Prashant Kishor’s strategic role
Eminent strategist Prashant Kishor has played a key role in shaping the TVK’s election strategy.
He had taught the TVK office bearers the secrets of electoral victory through a special session held in Chennai on February 10, 2025. Despite being busy with his own ‘Jana Suraj’ campaign, Kishor gave special priority to the Tamil Nadu election campaign and provided strategic support.
As part of the strategy, Kishor made the controversial statements made by the ruling DMK leaders against North Indian workers a key issue. He portrayed the comments made by DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran about the people of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh as ‘Dravidian arrogance’. This, on the one hand, made the DMK defensive, while on the other hand, helped to establish the TVK as an inclusive and just force.
Karur stampede
Amid Vijay’s political rise, a tragic incident in Karur district on September 27, 2025, added a challenge to his journey.
A stampede during TVK’s first major rally left 41 people dead, including women and children.
Weaknesses in the event management and Vijay’s delay in his arrival were considered the main reasons for the accident.
Election Results and Historic Achievements
Tamil Nadu witnessed a historic 85.10 per cent voter turnout this time, with a significant increase in the number of women voters compared to men. Out of a total of 4.87 crore voters, Karur constituency had the highest voter turnout of 93.41 per cent. Vijay’s party, which contested elections for the first time, has pulled off a political miracle, proving the predictions of election analysts and exit polls like ‘Axis My India’ correct.
Manifesto and People’s Aspirations
Vijay based his election manifesto on the philosophy of the Tamil text ‘Thirukkural’ (virtue, wealth and joy), which gave special priority to women, youth and farmers. He introduced popular programmes such as a monthly allowance of Rs 2,500 for women, free gas cylinders and concessional payment on educational loans.
While the established parties DMK and AIADMK were promising Rs 2,000 per month, Vijay managed to win the hearts of voters by announcing additional funds and facilities.
Young voters: The basis for change
In Tamil Nadu, 1.18 crore young voters (18-29 years) accounted for 20 per cent of the total electorate this time, who are considered to be away from both the traditional Dravidian parties. Especially the 12.51 lakh young people who were voting for the first time saw hope for a new change in the victory. Although the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried to fill this gap, the youth of Tamil Nadu trusted a new leader from their own soil. As a result, the performance of the BJP, which contested in 27 seats, was disappointing this time too.
This result is reminiscent of the historic changes brought about in the state’s politics by CN Annadurai in 1967 and MG Ramachandran in 1977. Decades later, Vijay has emerged as the harbinger of a new era, redefining the political landscape of Tamil Nadu.