After Vijayakanth, there was no successful actor-politician in Tamil Nadu, and it remains to be seen if Vijay's support would turn into votes.
Published Aug 23, 2024 | 2:00 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 23, 2024 | 2:00 PM
Vijay's fan base includes teenage boys and girls who see him as their "Anna". (X)
Tamil Nadu’s political landscape is completely different. Glittering stars from the tinsel screen have often descended on the political landscape with varied results. MG Ramachandran, J Jayalalithaa, and ‘Captain’ Vijayakanth were some of the stars that shone in the political sphere as well.
A new star has now risen on Tamil Nadu’s political horizon with actor Vijay launching his political outfit, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in February 2024. On Thursday, he unveiled the party’s flag and anthem at the organisation’s headquarters in Chennai’s Panaiyur.
The moment was one his huge fanbase, represented by the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, has been waiting for. The fan club had earlier tested the political waters, contesting 169 local body seats, and winning 115 in 2021.
‘Thalapathy’ Vijay, meanwhile, announced his retirement from movies, even as his much-expected sci-fi thriller, Greatest of All Times — GOAT — is set for a 5 September global release.
The 50-year-old actor has his sights set on the 2026 Assembly polls. However, the impact of TVK on Tamil Nadu politics remains to be seen.
Political analyst Professor Gladston Xavier sounded sceptical. “Actor Vijay has entered politics because of his fanbase. But will Tamil Nadu divide the votes of political parties? How many votes he would get in 2026 cannot be said with certainty. It is also impossible to say whether the support he has will convert into votes,” he said.
Several other actors had launched political parties and contested elections, but only a few had been successful in both cinema and politics alike.
“Vijay’s political arrival and reception will be different. It is not guaranteed that all fans will vote for his party. People are starting to realise that cinema is different from politics,” he said.
Xavier felt Vijay could not be compared with MGR or Vijayakanth. “The politics of their time was different. Vijay is a mass hero but the political structure is new to him,” he opined.
The analyst pointed out that none of the actors who debuted politics after Vijayakanth were successful. “MGR’s image helped Jayalalithaa win,” he added. The professor said other political parties would prefer to watch TVK before opting for a tie-up with it.
Xavier was also apprehensive of Vijay’s public speaking skills. “Delivering a scripted dialogue, as in cinemas, is different from speaking directly to the masses,” he opined.
He felt Vijayakanth was a better orator, and Vijay would need some time to reach that maturity level. Xavier also pointed out that Vijay had not spoken out on critical issues, like that of women’s safety.
Incidentally, Vijay was opposed to the Citizen (Amendment) Bill.
Xavier felt only time could tell if Vijay could fill the void left behind by Jayalalithaa and Vijayakanth. Comparing Vijay with Seeman of the Naam Tamilar Katchi, the professor said the latter’s politics carried more clarity than that of the actor.
“TVK’s policy is not yet known. When MGR launched his party, he made the policy public. Vijay had just unveiled a flag,” he said.
(Edited by Majnu Babu)
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