From Acting on the Silver Screen for 3 Decades to Acting in Real Life — Will Thalapathy Vijay’s Debut in Politics with TVK Be a Hit or a Career Suicide?

Vijay, a name very popular in the film industry, is making his political debut this year with his new party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). He is going to contest the 2026 elections in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. The party is preparing for the elections, which will be held in Tamil Nadu on April 23, 2026. The polls will take place in a single phase covering all 234 constituencies, and the counting is scheduled for May 4, 2026. 

The political landscape of the state has become more competitive with the entry of Vijay and his party TVK, potentially turning the election into a multi-cornered contest. Elections in Tamil Nadu have also been marked by several political controversies, and Vijay himself has been surrounded by many controversies, adding a new dimension to the state’s politics.

Who is Thalapathy Vijay? 

Vijay’s original name is Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, but he is professionally known as Vijay, especially among his fans. He is an Indian actor famous for his work in Tamil cinema. In a career spanning several decades, the actor has worked in 69 films and is among the highest-paid actors in the industry. 

His 69th film, titled Jana Nayagan, was officially scheduled to release on January 9, 2026, but was later cancelled due to CBFC issues and legal challenges. The film is reported to be his last, as he retires from acting to focus completely on his political journey and his party, TVK.

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TVK Party

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is a political party in Tamil Nadu founded by actor-turned-politician Vijay on February 2, 2024. The party plans to contest the 2026 Assembly elections and presents itself as a secular, social justice–focused movement that aims to work for youth welfare, equality, and inclusive development. Its foundation comes from Vijay’s long-running fan network, the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, which has helped build a strong grassroots presence.

Vijay, often called “Thalapathy” by his supporters, positions himself as a leader focused on bringing political change and improving the lives of ordinary people. He emphasizes economic equality, better education, job opportunities, and transparent governance. The party promotes the idea of a corruption-free and modern Tamil Nadu where development benefits everyone.

Under his leadership, TVK aims to connect with people at the grassroots level and address everyday concerns. The party highlights values such as honesty, unity, and social justice, and seeks to offer an alternative political vision in the state.

Some major leaders from TVK include Aadhav Arjuna, who is the General Secretary of the election campaign management committee and is contesting the election from the Villivakkam Assembly constituency in Chennai. Another key leader is N. Anand, the Secretary General and a former MLA C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, the Deputy General Secretary, also plays an important role, bringing experience from Tamil Nadu politics as well as the IT sector.

Controversies of Vijay

There have been many controversies related to Vijay throughout his career as both an actor and a politician. Among these, three major controversies are the Karur stampede controversy, the Trisha–Vijay controversy, and the 2020 income tax raid. 

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Karur Stampede

On September 27, 2025, a stampede occurred during a massive political rally in Karur district of Tamil Nadu, where Vijay was scheduled to address the crowd. The incident claimed the lives of 41 people and left many others injured. According to initial reports, the stampede was caused by overcrowding, as more than 27,000 people attended the event, far exceeding the permitted limit of 10,000. This led to exhaustion and panic among the crowd. Additionally, Vijay was expected to appear at noon but arrived around 7 pm, forcing people to wait for several hours. Following the incident, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe into the tragedy, and Vijay was also called in for questioning by the agency.

Trisha Krishnan and Vijay

Another controversy involves actor Trisha Krishnan and Vijay, which included rumours, political attacks, and reports of a divorce filing involving Vijay’s wife, Sangeeta Sornalingam. After reports emerged that Vijay’s wife had filed a divorce petition citing infidelity, Trisha’s name quickly became the focus of media and public speculation. It was reported that the petition was filed in a Chengalpattu family court, alleging adultery, mental cruelty, and a long-term extramarital affair.

However, both Vijay and Trisha have remained silent on the issue. Meanwhile, social media users began resharing their past posts and movie clips together, further fuelling speculation. The controversy intensified when Vijay was seen attending a wedding reception with Trisha.

2020 Income Tax Investigation

Vijay was shooting for Master, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, at the Neyveli coal mine when Income Tax officials arrived on set and issued him a summons. The shoot was halted, and Vijay was taken for questioning. The move followed earlier raids on AGS Entertainment, the producers of his previous film Bigil, which was a major box office success. The development shocked fans, who hoped the issue would be resolved quickly.

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