Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam | The star who stormed into politics

In Tamil Nadu, reel is often indistinguishable from real, particularly in politics. In a State where people have gotten used to film folding into politics and vice versa, in fitting fashion, the website of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) runs an AI-generated scene of war in the background. The ground shudders as a general rides in on horseback and dismounts, in a classic introductory scene for the hero, the rescuer, the commander who will vanquish all evil — C. Joseph Vijay.

Just over two years old, the TVK, which was formed in February 2024, has managed a cinematic transformation, going on to seize an impressive number of seats (108) in the Tamil Nadu Assembly in its political debut. Essentially emerging from Vijay’s extensive fan-based network, the TVK has since declared itself as a secular organisation, rooted in the Tamil experience, and committed to social justice and equality.