Feb 5, 2024
By: Katya NaiduThe actor of superhit movies like Master and Leo, Superstar Vijay surprised political pundits by launching his political party – Tamizha Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). It translates to Tamil Nadu Victory Party.
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The 49-year-old added that he will quit acting after finishing two movies he has committed to. It’s expected that he will contest the Tamil Nadu assembly elections to be held in 2026.
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Tamil matinee idols have long been pulling crowds into voting booths for a long time. MGR and Jayalalitha tasted huge success in the past, with both of them serving as CMs and heads of AIADMK.
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M Karunanidhi, one of Tamil Nadu’s longest serving CMs, also had a cinema connection. Kalaignar, which translates to ‘Scholar of Arts’, was instrumental in building MGR’s political career as a writer, before both parted ways.
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Recently though TN cinestars in politics haven't found it smooth sailing. Actor-director Kamal Hassan launched his political party Makkal Needhi Maiam in 2018, but saw little success in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
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The Vishwaroopam star’s political avatar was not well received in spite of his rabble-rousing anti-corruption speeches. All his candidates lost deposits and the fate wasn't much better in 2021. Kamal raised eyebrows, as his political party, unlike the others, did not have ‘Dravida’ in its name.
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Unlike Kamal, action hero Vijaykanth who recently passed away, had been an MLA twice. He launched his party Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) in early 2000s.
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Thanks to an alliance with Jayalalitha’s AIADMK, he became the Leader of Opposition in 2011. After a rift with AIADMK, he lost his seat and deposit in the 2016 elections. He passed away in December 2023 due to Covid-related complications at the age of 71.
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After keeping his fans guessing for over a decade, Rajnikanth announced his party – Rajini Makkal Mandram (RMM) in 2017. He however dissolved it in 2021 citing pandemic and health reasons.
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After his hospitalisation in 2021, the 73 year old said his actions were a result of ‘warning from God’. Neither he nor his party ever contested elections, in spite of being wooed by many political outfits. Ever since, like Kamal Hassan, the ‘Jailer’ has been busy dishing out superhit performances.
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