In Tamil Nadu, following the Assembly election results that have placed C. Joseph Vijay and his party Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam on the brink of power, the actor-turned-politician’s parents have expressed pride and emotion at his rapid rise.
Just two years into his political journey, Vijay, widely known as Thalapathy Vijay, has led his party to a strong debut performance, coming close to a majority in its first electoral contest.
His father, filmmaker SA Chandrasekhar, described the achievement as the culmination of a long-held ambition rather than a sudden success.
“It is not enough to just be an artist, you also have to think about society. He had a desire to do something for Tamil Nadu for the last 30 years. Today, he is moving in that direction, standing at the doorstep of the Chief Minister,” Chandrasekhar said.
He added that Vijay’s confidence since entering politics had impressed him, particularly his decision to contest independently without forming alliances, which he described as “historic”. Since launching the party in 2024, Vijay had made clear his intention to rely on his own organisational strength, a strategy that now appears to have paid off.
In the 234-seat Assembly, 118 seats are required to form a government. While that figure has not yet been reached, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam has secured around 100 seats and is leading in several others, raising the possibility of forming a government with support.
Chandrasekhar also spoke of his son’s connection with the public. “People do not see him just as a leader. Some see him as a son, some as a brother, some as a grandson. This relationship is his biggest strength,” he said.
He attributed Vijay’s success to discipline and professionalism, noting that few in the Tamil film industry would criticise his punctuality and dedication. Vijay’s mother, Shobha Chandrasekhar, is also said to be delighted, with the family describing her as both a parent and his first admirer.
The family expressed hope that Vijay’s leadership would usher in change in Tamil Nadu. Analysts suggest the result signals a shift in the state’s long-standing Dravidian political landscape, with the party demonstrating that cinematic popularity can translate into electoral support.
In this context, Vijay has drawn comparisons with figures such as NT Rama Rao, MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa.
However, his father struck a cautious note, saying that this was only the beginning and that “a lot of responsibility still lies ahead”.
