Previously we had reported that actor Vijay will be taking a break from Tamil cinema post his movie Thalapathy 68 (tentative title), which is yet to go on floors. While we had reported that a 6-month break has been planned by the Leo star in order to prep for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections, seemingly this break will extend over a period of 2-3 years. 

Vijay's immediate next movie Leo is scheduled to release in theaters on October 19, 2023, post which the actor will start shooting for Thalapathy 68 with director Venkat Prabhu. Thalapathy 68 plans to release in 2024, meaning Vijay will be missing-in-action till 2027. 

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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."