KUALA LUMPUR – After days of political manoeuvring and coalition talks, popular actor Vijay has been sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, marking a historic shift in the state’s political landscape.
According to a statement from Lok Bhavan Tamil Nadu, the president of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) took the oath at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Sunday at 10am local time (12.30pm Malaysia time), in a ceremony attended by his parents SA Chandrasekhar and Shobha, actress Trisha, and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, local media reported.
“Governor of Tamil Nadu has been pleased to appoint C Joseph Vijay as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and has invited him to form the state ministry,” the statement read.
Vijay received his formal appointment after meeting Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan on Saturday. During the meeting, he presented letters of support from the Indian National Congress (INC), the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
The statement added that Vijay, also affectionately called ‘Thalapathy’ by fans, must secure a vote of confidence in the state assembly by or before Wednesday.
TVK, which contested state elections for the first time last month, surprised political observers by winning 108 seats in the 234-member assembly, falling short of the simple majority mark of 118. Vijay himself won in Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East, and is expected to vacate one seat in accordance with Indian Election Commission rules.
The tight results announced on 4 May prompted extensive negotiations, including efforts by Congress leaders to rally VCK and IUML support for TVK.
Vijay, 52, first hinted at a political career during the audio launch of his film Jana Nayagan in Kuala Lumpur last year, attended by more than 85,000 fans. On stage, he announced he would step back from acting to focus on politics.
Tamil Nadu has a long tradition of film stars transitioning into influential political roles. Icons such as M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), J. Jayalalithaa, and M. Karunanidhi have historically leveraged cultural popularity to forge deep connections with voters.
Film culture in the state has consistently cast actors not just as entertainers, but as symbols of social justice and hope. MGR, for instance, translated his on-screen image as a champion of the poor into a lasting political legacy. Jayalalithaa combined charisma, administrative strength, and emotional appeal to earn the affectionate title ‘Amma’ among supporters.
Vijay appears to be following a similar trajectory, wielding substantial influence among youth, maintaining an anti-establishment image, and mobilising grassroots support through fan culture.
The TVK, established just two years ago, made a remarkable debut in last month’s elections by capturing 108 seats. Vijay conducted multiple rounds of coalition discussions and met Governor Arlekar four times to demonstrate he could command a majority.
Support from Congress, with its five MLAs, and backing from leftist parties CPI and CPI-M, brought the alliance close to the majority mark, but Vijay needed further endorsements. The decisive support came from VCK and IUML, bringing the coalition to 120 seats. After presenting letters of unconditional support, the Governor appointed Vijay as Chief Minister.
Born on 22 June 1974 in Chennai, Vijay began his film career as a child actor in Vetri (1984), directed by his father. He debuted as a lead actor in Naalaiya Theerpu (1992) and earned the title ‘Thalapathy’ with his 1994 film Rasigan. He later starred in blockbusters including Thuppakki (2012), Kaththi (2014), Mersal (2017), Bigil (2019), and Leo (2023) before turning his focus to politics.
Vijay’s appointment represents not just a political surprise but the continuation of Tamil Nadu’s longstanding intertwining of cinema and governance, highlighting the enduring power of cultural influence in shaping state leadership. – May 10, 2026