Film star-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay is on the verge of reshaping politics in India's Tamil Nadu state. His party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), stunned rivals by winning 108 seats in the 234-member assembly, breaking decades of dominance by the DMK and AIADMK.
Vijay's rise is compared to that of matinee idol MG Ramachandran, who became chief minister in 1977. However, Vijay still needs 10 more seats to form a government. He must now pivot from crowd-puller to coalition-builder, negotiating with smaller parties and independents.
Analysts point to Vijay's appeal among younger voters and women. He represents a fresh alternative to a political duopoly seen as jaded. Social scientist Shiv Visvanathan notes, "He offers a sense of fun, confidence and an aura of competence."
Vijay formally launched TVK in 2024 but began organizing fan clubs into a welfare network as early as 2009. His campaign emphasized change, and many voters responded, seeing him as a break from the past.
Despite lacking detailed policy positions, Vijay's charisma and promise of renewal have clearly resonated. The question now is whether he can convert 108 seats into a government.