Vijayakanth

Actor Vijay’s rise to the centre of Tamil Nadu’s political conversation was carefully incubated in cinema under the guidance of his father, SA Chandrasekhar, a filmmaker known for socially rooted narratives.

Tamil Nadu's political landscape is witnessing the rise of a new superstar in actor Vijay, mirroring MGR's trajectory. Despite a contrasting on-screen persona, Vijay's unconventional campaign, leveraging social media and a direct voter appeal, has positioned him as a formidable force. He has emerged from the shadows of established parties, capturing public imagination and potentially reshaping the state's political future.

Fans get a high when Vijay sings “Pathaathu bottle naan kudikka, andaala konda cheers adikka (One bottle isn’t enough for me, bring it to me in a drum to say cheers)”. The intoxication has now been translated into votes; the contrarian is suddenly the outlier.

Premallatha met with commuters at the bus stand and staff members at the local Amma Unavagam and sought votes for the murasu symbol.

The superstar’s debut political campaign shows the benefits of speaking less and reaching out directly to voters. It’s also a dramatic transition for the quiet superstar who grew up on sets and waited a long time for box office success.

Former AIADMK minister C Ve Shanmugam's entry into Mailam constituency has intensified the electoral battle, blending caste dynamics, alliance strength, and candidate influence. Shanmugam, backed by AIADMK and PMK, faces DMDK's L Venkatesan, who leverages DMK front support and his party's legacy. Developmental issues also remain a key concern for voters.

Tamil film and TV personalities are actively campaigning for various political parties. Ramarajan, a former AIADMK MP, is now supporting TVK, citing personal ties. Actor Ponnambalam, previously with AIADMK and BJP, has also joined TVK, criticizing DMDK's alliance with DMK.

Despite high-profile BJP visits to Tamil Nadu, Rahul Gandhi's absence is downplayed by the DMK-led front, who deny any rift. The VCK leader clarifies his withdrawal from assembly polls was strategic, not due to DMK pressure, and defends fielding family members, asserting it's not dynastic politics. He also predicts BJP's weakening of AIADMK and dismisses actor Vijay as a spoiler.

Despite high-profile BJP visits to Tamil Nadu, Rahul Gandhi's absence is downplayed by the DMK-led front, who deny any rift. The VCK leader clarifies his withdrawal from assembly polls was strategic, not due to DMK pressure, and defends fielding family members, asserting it's not dynastic politics. He also predicts BJP's weakening of AIADMK and dismisses actor Vijay as a spoiler.

Sharing the stage with VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan and DMDK general secretary Premallatha Vijayakanth to exhibit the solidarity of the alliance, Stalin said under the current DMK regime, Tamil Nadu’s growth rate jumped from a dismal 0.07% during the previous AIADMK regime to a robust 11.19%, earning the state the moniker of "Superstar State" in global media.

She said Vridhachalam holds a deep emotional significance for the party, as it was the seat where the late DMDK founder marked his spectacular electoral debut in 2006.

Many prominent Tamil Nadu politicians, including Chief Minister M K Stalin and rivals from AIADMK and BJP, experienced early electoral defeats before achieving victories. While some, like Vaiko and Thol Thirumavalavan, faced initial losses, others such as Nainar Nagenthran and Anbumani Ramadoss began their careers with wins. Newer aspirants like Seeman and Annamalai are still seeking their first electoral success.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin criticized AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami for lowering political discourse and accused him of surrendering Tamil Nadu's rights to the BJP. Stalin highlighted the state's economic growth under DMK rule and condemned the Prime Minister's remarks on women's free bus travel, warning of potential scheme discontinuation if the NDA wins.

Political candidates are actively engaging in religious ceremonies and consulting astrologers. They are booking special prayers, performing rituals, and seeking auspicious timings for campaign activities. This practice spans across various parties and religious institutions, including temples, churches, and dargahs. Candidates believe these spiritual efforts will enhance their chances of winning elections.

Veteran composer Mani Sharma shared a heartwarming comeback story at the 'Chennai Love Story' audio launch. He revealed how director Sai Rajesh's persistence reignited his passion for music, proving his creative spark remained after a period of inactivity. Sharma's touching anecdote highlights his enduring talent and the joy of rediscovering his musical gift.

DMK had started talking to DMDK in August 2025, with E V Velu as the sole messenger; later, DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi joined the talks. At the same time, AIADMK was also in touch with the DMDK leadership.

Tamil cinema's influence extends to politics, with stars like MGR and Vijayakanth transitioning to leadership roles. Many actors, including R. Sarathkumar and Kamal Haasan, have successfully balanced on-screen careers with public service. Vijay's recent party launch signals a continuing trend of actors entering the political arena, impacting the state's landscape.

Tamil Nadu gears up for a three-way electoral battle, with CM Stalin's DMK seeking a second term against an AIADMK-led NDA and actor Vijay's TVK. While DMK boasts a strong alliance and welfare schemes, AIADMK faces internal divisions. Vijay's party introduces an unpredictable element, potentially reshaping the state's bipolar political landscape.

Karunanidhi fell short, but his son Stalin now wants to rewrite Tamil Nadu’s electoral history. But it's not just AIADMK's Palaniswami he has to contend with, there is also the Vijay factor

AIADMK's Edappadi Palaniswami has reunited with T T V Dhinakaran's AMMK to reclaim the influential Thevar vote bank ahead of the 2026 elections. This alliance aims to consolidate the anti-DMK vote, a move that failed to materialize in the previous election.

Vijayakanth's wife Premalatha gives an update on the actor's health, and she requested fans not to spread or believe rumors.

Thalapathy Vijay visits late actor Vijayakanth’s mortal remains; emotional and shocked. Vijay credits Vijayakanth for his early career; they acted together in 'Shendoorapandi'. Vijay consoles Vijayakanth's wife, Premalatha. Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Suriya, Raghava Lawrence, Lokesh Kanagaraj, AR Rahman express condolences. Vijayakanth's funeral in Chennai on December 29.