4 min learnHyderabadAug 10, 2026 03:57 PM IST
Actors getting into politics shouldn’t be new in Tamil Nadu. From MG Ramachandran to Jayalalithaa and now Vijay, the state has an extended historical past of actors crossing over into governance. However for each MGR or Jayalalithaa who made it work, there have been a number of who tried and failed. So what made Vijay totally different? Actor Vishal, who has identified the actor-politician since his earliest days in cinema, believes the reply has much less to do with stardom and extra to do with timing, belief and a public that was determined for one thing new.
When requested why Tamil folks belief actors to manipulate, Vishal, who has publicly supported a number of of Vijay’s authorities’s choices since he took workplace as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister earlier this yr, supplied an in depth tackle why Vijay’s political entry succeeded the place many different actors’ makes an attempt have failed.
“It’s not simply actors. Actors with mass attraction have tried this earlier than. There are such a lot of different examples now we have ignored who’ve been failures. Sivaji Ganesan began a celebration. Legendary filmmaker Bhagyaraj began a celebration. We now have examples all around the business. Amitabh Bachchan might have began a celebration. Mithun Chakraborty is so well-known, he might have been the face of West Bengal,” Vishal stated in an interplay with Sincere Townhall, earlier than explaining what made Vijay’s case totally different.
Additionally Learn: From onscreen messiah to Tamil Nadu CM: The cinematic blueprint behind Vijay’s political ascent
“It’s a calling. If somebody has entrusted their religion in Vijay, it’s not simply because he’s an actor turned politician. It’s as a result of they wished a change, badly, actually very badly. And additionally it is a connectivity issue. He was totally different in the best way he was speaking. That’s what possibly the first-time voters and everybody determined to go for the change, as a result of there may be nothing else they see,” he stated.
Vishal additionally pointed to 1 particular second from the 2026 Tamil Nadu Meeting election marketing campaign that he believes tipped issues in Vijay’s favour. “His last-day speech earlier than the closing of the marketing campaign nailed it. He stated, go inform your mother and father and your grandparents and each elder in your own home, please inform them to vote for me as soon as. That basically created an enormous affect. I’ve seen a decide come on file saying that he voted as a result of his granddaughter advised him to vote for TVK. There have been situations like that,” he recalled.
Vijay launched his political celebration, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), on February 2, 2024, and introduced himself because the celebration’s Chief Ministerial candidate forward of the 2026 Meeting elections. TVK went on to win 108 seats within the 234-member Tamil Nadu Legislative Meeting, falling wanting the bulk mark of 118 however shaped the federal government with the help of allied events. Vijay took oath as Chief Minister in a ceremony held on the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.
Story continues under this advert
Additionally Learn: Leaked, delayed, censored and still selling out: The curious case of Jana Nayagan
“Let’s see how he (Vijay) performs. That’s what we’re trying ahead to. That’s an important factor. The duty is on his shoulders. We’re trying ahead to how he’s going to ship on the guarantees that he’s made to us,” Vishal stated.
He then described what it was like assembly Vijay after he grew to become Chief Minister. “Vijay is similar after I met him not too long ago. I didn’t take a bouquet. I normally by no means purchase bouquets. He’s the identical, solely the posting has modified,” he stated.
Wanting again at Vijay’s profession earlier than politics, Vishal known as him a private supply of motivation. “Vijay’s first movie, I’ve identified him since then. He’s seen the whole lot in life. He’s my inspiration relating to the way you deal with success, failure, criticism, the worst criticism, hitting under the belt, the whole lot. Physique shaming, face shaming, the whole lot. That’s what I’d like to let you know,” he stated.
Story continues under this advert
Vishal’s upcoming movie Magudam, which marks his debut as a director, is ready for a worldwide launch on August 14. At a latest trailer launch occasion, Vishal talked about that he was trying ahead to watching the movie at Rohini Theatre in Chennai, the identical theatre the place he as soon as cheered for Vijay as a fan.
