On June 17, 2023 [Saturday], Kollywood star actor Vijay became the talk of the Tamil community after he organized an event to honour the recently graduated toppers of class X and XII from all 234 constituencies of Tamil Nadu. Widely viewed as a prominent stepping stone in the actor's political entry, the event also garnered the attention of many politicos in Tamil Nadu including Udhayanidhi Stalin, actor-MLA-son of the incumbent Chief Minister and the next leader-hopeful of the ruling DMK party.
Actor Vijay ‘enters the stage’, meets students from all 234 constituencies, calls them ‘tomorrow’s voters’ and advices not to be lured by money for votes ! https://t.co/v6llrWWiw1 pic.twitter.com/relBvyMinI
— Arvind Gunasekar (@arvindgunasekar) June 17, 2023
“Yes, it (Vijay's cash-votes take) is a good message..anyone can enter politics. Everyone has the right to enter politics" - Udhayanidhi Stalin who himself is gearing up for his last movie release as an actor (Maamannan) this July
While remnants of this event and Vijay's politically-loaded speech lingered on for the whole weekend, news about the actor's career path was also buzzing in another corner. Vijay currently has Leo with director Lokesh Kanagaraj which releases October 19, and Thalapathy 68 (tentative title) with director Venkat Prabhu in the pipeline. Vijay Makkal Iyakkam aka VMI which is yet to turn into a full-fledged political party, seemingly plans on participating directly in the 2026 Tamil Nadu State Legislative Assembly Election.
Thalapathy @actorvijay Speech ❤#VIJAYHonorsStudentspic.twitter.com/hDCdvY0PbW
— Vijay Social Teamⱽˢᵀ (@TST_Offcl) June 17, 2023
And word has it that Vijay will not be singing any new project after Thalapathy 68 for this direct political debut. It is worth mentioning here that hardcore Vijay fans seem unperturbed by this buzz, for they seem to aware of Vijay's set path for a political career, which is if the star enters politics, he will be leaving his acting career behind.
Ethachum onnu la thaa concentrate panna mudium sollitaru so Hard thaa but accept pannanum
— 𝐑𝐨𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐦ˢᵃᶜʰᵉⁱⁿ♡ˢʰᵃˡⁱⁿⁱ (@Ram_Ro92) June 18, 2023
However no direct announcements on Vijay quitting acting or entering politics have been made yet.
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[Update: February 2, 2024] Actor Vijay has officially announced that he is entering politics with a party named Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), which has been applied to be registered with the Election Commission of India, today. The star actor has also confirmed that he is quitting Tamil cinema after The Greatest of All Time and Thalapathy 69 for full fledged political entry, and contest in the 2026 Tamil Nadu state legislative Assembly elections.
"A political party led by me has been started under the name 'Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam', and an application has been submitted today on behalf of my party for registration with the Chief Election Commission of India..
Our goal is to contest and win the upcoming 2026 assembly elections and lead to the fundamental political change that people want...I humbly state here that we are not contesting in the upcoming 2024 parliamentary elections, and we will not be supporting any party...
.. Politics is not a hobby for me; That is my deepest desire. I want to fully involve myself in it. On my behalf, I am going to complete another film related duties that I have already agreed to, without interfering with party work, and fully engage in public service politics. I consider that as my debt of gratitude to the people of Tamil Nadu."