Chennai: As actor Vijay prepares to make his electoral debut in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, reactions to his political plunge continue to pour in from across the film fraternity and beyond. One of Vijay’s former heroines, speaking to NDTV on condition of anonymity, expressed guarded optimism about his decision to quit cinema and enter politics full-time.
Welcoming Vijay’s move, the actress underlined the magnitude of the step, given his unmatched popularity and devoted fan base. “He has taken a very big decision by leaving cinema completely and committing himself fully to politics. Considering the level of stardom he enjoys, it’s not a small move at all,” she said.
She added that Vijay’s immense public appeal could play a crucial role in shaping his political journey. “I genuinely wish him the best. I hope and pray that the love and fandom he has earned over the years will support him and help him move forward in politics,” she noted.
Vijay, who recently launched his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is expected to contest the Tamil Nadu polls next year, marking a significant transition from the silver screen to the political arena.
When asked whether actors can make effective political leaders, the actress responded in the affirmative but stressed that success ultimately depends on the individual. Drawing from Tamil Nadu’s political history, she said, “It depends. We have seen two great leaders who were also actors — MGR sir and Jayalalithaa Amma. So yes, actors can become good leaders, but it really varies from person to person.”
Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, however, offers a mixed precedent. While MG Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa successfully transitioned from cinema to the Chief Minister’s office, several other prominent film personalities have struggled to replicate that success. Icons such as Sivaji Ganesan, Vijayakanth, Sarath Kumar and Kamal Haasan attempted to carve out political space but fell short of capturing power. Superstar Rajinikanth, despite enormous public anticipation, eventually chose to step away from electoral politics altogether.
Asked how Vijay might fare, the actress pointed again to his mass appeal and rapport with people. “He has an enormous fan following and a strong emotional connect with the public. I really hope that this takes him places,” she said.
On a lighter note, when questioned whether she would campaign for Vijay if he personally sought her support, the actress smiled but firmly declined. “I’m never getting into politics,” she said, making it clear that while she supports his decision, she prefers to stay away from the political spotlight herself.
As Vijay readies himself for his political debut, expectations remain high, tempered by the realities of Tamil Nadu’s demanding political terrain.