Tamil Nadu assembly elections 2026: Kalaignar, M G Ramachandran, J Jayalalithaa, M K Stalin lookalikes star at election campaigns

Chennai: M R Gopalakrishnan, a 46-year-old priest from West Mambalam, does not look anything like M G Ramachandran. But give him 20 minutes, a dollop of make-up, a wig, fur hat and bright clothes and he transforms into the late chief minister and matinee idol, rosy-cheeked and camera-ready to hit the campaign trail. You can spot him rousing crowds at AIADMK rallies, taking selfies with fans, and blessing those who fall at his feet.

"I have studied MGR's gestures and swagger," says Gopalakrishnan, a former child artiste. "MGR was my role model. That's reason enough to play him at rallies."

As election campaigns near their end, a parallel cast of lookalikes such as Gopalakrishnan is clocking longer hours than most candidates. Some bear little to no resemblance to their ‘star' counterparts but can turn into them in the blink of an eye.

With leaders such as M K Stalin unable to be everywhere at once, these stand-ins fill the gap, not in voice or authority, but in appearance — from a reasonable distance.

Most spend hours studying archival footage of leaders, to get the postures and smiles in place. They may earn just 3,000 a day, but they linger in memories and phone galleries.

Visalakshi from Saidapet conjures up her version of the late AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa replete with the little details — bindi, spectacles, netted hairstyle, light lipstick, wristwatch, stud earrings and a plain sari. She also mimics her gait, including the slight hunch.

"People remember her final years. That's the look I recreate," says the 40-year-old. Visalakshi travels to constituencies such as Velachery and Tiruvallur, where reactions are immediate. "Some cry, others seek blessings, and party workers bring children to meet me." But she doesn't talk about it to her neighbours. "My neighbourhood roots for the DMK. How can I reveal that I play Jayalalithaa?"

In Tirupattur, Samarasam has been ‘Kutty Karunanidhi' for 18 years. All it takes, says the 48-year-old, to turn into Kalaignar is a base foundation, pancake powder, white dhoti, yellow shawl and sunglasses.

"I cannot match his oratory skills, but I can mimic them enough to read manifestos," he says. When not in costume, he blends in. "I just wear a cap to hide my bald head when I'm off duty," he says.

Then there is Salem ‘Stalin' Syed, a travel agent who plays chief minister Stalin. "People approach me with petitions and complaints" says Syed.

"I used to play actor Rajinikanth. Then people said I look more like Stalin, even without makeup. So I switched."


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