The entry of actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) into the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections rekindles a decades-old, intertwined tradition in the state: film personalities and politics.

On April 23, Tamil Nadu's voters will decide which party or political alliance should be entrusted with governing the state, where politics essentially revolves around two factors - the stronghold of the Dravidian parties, and politicians linked to the silver screen.

In the 2021 Assembly polls, superstar Rajinikanth opted out of the tussle, limiting the battle between the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Following the deaths of J Jayalalithaa in 2016 and M Karunanidhi in 2018, both the Dravidian parties were led by politicians who had little to no connection with the film industry. Thus, Vijay's political foray re-establishes the link between politics and the film industry in the southern state.

Converting popularity to votes

Chandrasekaran Joseph Vijay, 51, who goes by the moniker 'Thalapathy,' founded the TVK early in 2024 on the strength of his followers and fan clubs. The TVK is the untested factor in the state politics amid frequent speculation that Vijay could team up with a major national party. On his part, the latest Tamil actor-turned-politician denies that the TVK will enter any such electoral pact.

Vijay is banking on his onscreen image as one who stands up for the underdogs, fights for the poor, takes on the corrupt, and works for justice. The roles he has essayed in films have created a youth icon and people's hero. Little wonder, a swansong political thriller titled 'Jana Nayagan' is in the offing before he becomes a full-time politician. Jana Nayagan was initially slated for a January release, but has not yet received censor board and election commission clearance.

Additionally, a CBI probe into the September 27 Karur stampede at a TVK rally complicates the path for the party's quest to unsettle the two main Dravidian parties. So far, Vijay's rallies and meetings have seen tremendous response, especially from women and the young, but much will depend on whether these can convert into votes and seats for the TVK at Fort St George.

Films, fans, and politics

The DMK architect C N Annadurai and Karunanidhi earned fame as script writers in the Tamil film industry, while matinee idol M G Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR, was with the DMK until 1972.

Drawing upon his dexterity with words and command of the language, Annadurai moulded public opinion and raised issues of concern, while Karunanidhi crafted powerful dialogues that propelled actors Sivaji Ganesan and MGR as heroes.

The DMK was the platform for film personalities, and the organisation, in turn, drew upon their popularity. The ubiquitous fan clubs worked as a sounding board to send the message of the party's anti-caste, strong linguistic flavour, and challenged societal ills. These found resonance among the masses. The fan clubs became a potent instrument in securing votes in favour of the party and the hero.

The work of film personalities and that of political parties moved in tandem, and the trend witnessed a switching of political affiliations with Sivaji Ganesan joining the Congress and MGR being drafted by the DMK to counter him. Through his onscreen roles, MGR, with a down-to-earth approach and a halo of purity around him, cultivated an image of a person who spoke and cared for the marginalised in society. Jayalalithaa, a heroine in MGR films, following a brief power struggle, took over the AIADMK's mantle after MGR's death in 1987.

Son rise in DMK

Following the demise of Jayalalithaa in 2016 and Karunanidhi in 2018, the leadership of the two main Dravidian parties was no longer directly connected to the film industry. While Rajinikanth has dilly-dallied with his entry into electoral politics and Kamal Haasan's foray has not created an impact, it is Vijay and his TVK who have re-established the film-politics connect.