To be honest, it is a novel type of politics Tamil Nadu plays. It is not now; it is almost from the year 1967, the political scenario had gone through a sea change as soon as the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) started its rule. 

The Kazhagam’s close association with the public, to be honest, was more through cinema than political passage. Their so called ‘idealogy’ was more like a filmi script than a political one. Well, their sole mission was to bring ‘equality’ among the caste divisions along with the financial security for the poor and downtrodden. Though MG Ramachandran the main idol whose filmi persona greatly helped DMK to come to power, M Karunanidhi who was more astute became the controlling head of the party. When he was questioned by MGR at one point, MK simply dropped him from party making a wrong calculation that without the party support he will go into oblivion. 

But fate had a different design. MGR proved to be more powerful than everyone in DMK imagined, and he started his own party named it AIADMK and started his fight. Surprisingly, the major public support was for MGR, as long as he was alive, and  DMK  could not get into Fort Saint Geroge, The Secretariat. 

When MGR died, Mu.Ka heaved a sigh of relief because he never left any legacy to his party after him. But, unfortunately he completely was forgetting the most attractive, intelligent and articulative Jayalalithaa as his heir. She fought against Mu.Ka as long as she was alive. 

The above was the real scenario. But, the entry and thundering success of two Tamil film stars in politics raised the ambition and dreams of several other film people. Insipid actors from Bhagyraj, T Rajender, Karthik, Ramarajan, Sarat Kumar and even Sivaji Ganesan to float parties with their leadership only to be eased out as early as possible. The only other star who reigned supreme for a short period was Vijaykant, and his type of politics also found death with his ill health. 

Rajnikant and Kamalhassan the next generation stars valiantly made efforts to come to political arena only to be disappointed. Rajnikant backed out at the last minute showing his health issues and Kamalhassan turned to be a slave for DMK. 

We all thought that the tamasha is over. But, No. The big bomb was dropped in recent months with the valiant entry of Super Star Vijay who floated his ‘Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam’ and now he is the biggest hot topic of the day. He opposes DMK, BJP and AIADMK in that order. He wants to sit in the CM’s chair in 2026 state elections. All the media in Tamil Nadu keeps talking, analyse, and keeps on discussing about his mass following as he had demonstrated it with two huge public shows, with one show leading to the death of some thirty people in the stampede. 

Vijay’ films are nothing but crap potboilers, and a few of his early films were good ones. He is no orator, though a massive crowd puller. He hardly speaks any sense except his ire against the ruling DMK regime. The broken AIADMK and BJP are also his second rivals. 

Today, in Tamil Nadu, who will align with whom is still a mystery and not clear. Whether Vijay can make it to Fort Saint George is also a matter of mystery. 

In addition, there are umpteen small and broken local parties aspiring to get into the winning alliance. It looks Vijay lures the other parties with his willingness to share the seats and also power. 

Now, Tamil Nadu and Vijay are very hot topics for all the media. 

In my opinion, Vijay, on his own or even with an alliance, could lead to success in elections. At best, he can only be a spoiler and for vote splits. But, mainly to whom? 

His supposedly last film is named ‘Jana Nayagan,’ meaning ‘Leader of the Public,’ to be released on 9th January 2026.

Of course, a Million Dollar Question. But, I cannot, but wonder at the strange and strong connectivity of films and their heroes with Tamil Nadu Politics.