Published Feb 21, 2026 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 21, 2026 | 12:00 PM
TVK chief Vijay. (X/TVKHQITWingOffl)
Synopsis: During the two years after the formation of TVK, its president, actor-turned-politician Vijay, has made political appearances only 41 times. However, TVK leaders are of the view that it is not public appearances that matter but people’s trust in a leader.
In the past two years, since Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) was formally established on 2 February 2024, 51-year-old actor-turned-politician Vijay politically involved himself with people, his fans, and even his own party cadres only 41 times.
The “superstar”, popularly addressed as Thalapathy (Commander), announced his new party with the promise of capturing power in Tamil Nadu.
Two years later, as the leader of a political party aspiring to govern the state, Vijay was seen in the public sphere only 64 times.
Since the official launch of the party, Vijay participated in only 41 people facing political events. Of these, seven were education award functions organised by TVK, where district toppers were rewarded by Vijay.
On 19 April 2024, he voted in the Lok Sabha elections not just as an actor, but also as the head of a political party. Even if that appearance is also added to his list of political engagements, the numbers look no better.
The remaining 32 politically relevant events include state conferences, executive meetings, general council meetings, booth agents’ conferences, protest rallies, campaign tours, public meetings, cadre consultations, public interaction programmes such as meetings with Parandur protesters and sanitation workers, party induction events and meetings with Karur stampede victims.
His appearance before the CBI at its headquarters in New Delhi in connection with the Karur stampede case is also counted as a public appearance, making the total 64.
Vijay’s online supporters proudly call themselves “Virtual Warriors.” However, when it comes to the party leader, the virtual battlefield appears unusually silent.
Take the social media accounts of any politician who claims to be the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. It would take at least 15 minutes to an hour to scroll through their posts from the past two years. In Vijay’s case, or on TVK’s official handles, a few minutes is enough to understand what has happened.
Excluding the above-mentioned political events, Vijay has appeared in photos or videos only 17 times over the last two years. Most of those posts were birthday or remembrance wishes for ideological leaders such as Kamaraj, Anjalai Ammal, Rani Velu Nachiyar, Periyar and Ambedkar.
Even those were mostly photographed inside what appears to be an office or residence, or locations difficult to identify. In some images, even the background wall is not visible; one might wonder whether he is standing before a portrait or whether the portrait itself is the only visible presence.
He has shared four video messages in this period, including one on 30 September 2025, after the Karur stampede, accusing the state government.
Vijay publicly stepped out only once, on April 14, 2025, to pay respects at an Ambedkar statue in Palavakkam, near his residence. That remains the first and last time he was seen paying homage to any ideological leader in a public space.
Even in his personal and professional spheres, appearances have been sparse. In two years, he attended just three personal events: Actress Keerthy Suresh’s wedding in Goa on 12 December 2024; producer Siva’s daughter’s reception in Tamil Nadu on 6 December 2025; and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s relative’s wedding event in Chennai on 8 February 2026.
Cinema-related appearances are also limited to three. He was spotted during the shooting of Jana Nayagan in Chennai and Kodaikanal in February and May 2025.
The final appearance came on 27 December 2025, at the grand audio launch of Jana Nayagan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he announced his retirement from cinema on stage.
“Vijay is a male version of Jayalalithaa. In fact, one could say he has appeared in public even less frequently than Jayalalithaa,” scholar and political observer Tamil Kamarasan told South First.
He noted that it was surprising that Vijay came out in public even this many times. According to him, Vijay’s politics appears to be moving towards a new space, one that supports an apolitical mass culture.
“In the case of MGR and Jayalalithaa, there was a saviour-plus-actor image. But when they launched their parties, their administrators and cadres were politically prepared leaders. Vijay does not have that. It is unclear whether even Vijay himself knows what kind of politics he intends to practise.”
“Those around him are largely political PR professionals. For them, the priority seems to be converting his peak actor image into political leverage,” he argued.
Kamarasan further said that support is being constructed around Vijay’s cinematic charisma, projecting him as a saviour and placing him on a pedestal, gradually building a culture of devotion.
If one asks his supporters why they back him, there is often no clarity. They criticise the DMK, but are unable to articulate why Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is the alternative clearly, he explained.
“He may command around 15–20 percent vote share; whether that sustains will be known only after an election. However, Vijay does not need to come out and speak. He does not need to interact. Whatever he has already said, people interpret as they see fit. So when criticism is directed at him, he does not have to respond. His followers respond on his behalf. He uses that. If the Dravidian parties do not take this seriously, it could become a problem,” he warned.
With the Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu just two months away, and Vijay still not regularly meeting people in person, South First spoke to TVK’s Policy Propagation Joint Secretary, Loyola Mani, to ask whether his chief ministerial dream can succeed under such circumstances.
“All leaders who meet people daily do not automatically become the chief minister. If that were the case, Seeman would have become a chief minister by now. Anbumani would have been the chief minister. That is not what matters. What matters is who the people place their trust in. At present, people who are dissatisfied with both the DMK and the AIADMK see leader Vijay as a force that has come to protect them. They will ensure his victory,” he said.
When asked whether that trust can truly translate into votes without direct and frequent public interaction, he responded with allegations against the ruling party.
“Our leader is ready. But it is this government and the DMK that are not allowing us to function freely. They are creating various obstacles. They even refuse permission to hold small gatherings,” he alleged.
He further added, “It is not necessary for our leader to personally visit every place. As his representatives, and on his instructions, we are present at every protest site and public interaction. Our leader has been engaged in people’s welfare activities for many years. The public has been watching all of this. Therefore, they will certainly choose him,” Mani said with confidence.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
