The ‘Kutty Story’ phenomenon: How Vijay prepared voters with his audio launch speeches

“I shall do honest work for people from all walks of life,” said the hero, hands stretched, before raising one and curling it into a fist as he went, “I solemnly affirm, swearing upon God.” Before you mistake it for a scene from a Tamil film — the occasion was indeed cinematic, in a sense — this was a moment from when Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam chief C Joseph Vijay took the oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10 at a packed Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. Everything about the superstar-turned-politician’s journey has been something out of a blockbuster. Still, social media has particularly taken note of how Vijay channelled the inner performer in him during the oath-taking ceremony. If that weren’t enough, everything that followed the oath would have made fans reminisce about his cinema persona, especially for those grappling with the idea that they would no longer get to see him on the big screen.

Vijay’s dramatic speech reminded everyone of the several speeches he delivered over the years at the audio launch ceremonies of his films, many of which were held at the same venue. “En ninjil kudi irukkum ungal anaivarukkum en vanakkam,” the star began, as he had done multiple times, prompting a roar of applause from the crowd.