AR Rahman, Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi Laud Vijay’s Historic Tamil Nadu Election Debut

Actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay has made a striking entry into politics, emerging as a formidable force in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026. Celebrations erupted at his residence as supporters marked the moment with music and dance, even playing “Whistle Podu” from his film The Greatest of All Time.

Leading the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Vijay’s strong electoral debut has drawn widespread attention, with early trends indicating a significant performance that could bring the party close to forming the government.

Actor and politician Hema Malini compared Vijay’s rise to that of iconic actor-politicians like M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa. Reacting to the results, she described Vijay as a “probable new Chief Minister,” highlighting the strong youth support behind his campaign and calling the outcome a “tsunami.”

The film industry also rallied behind Vijay, hailing his political debut as historic. Chiyaan Vikram termed the development “historic,” while Chiranjeevi congratulated Vijay on his “well-deserved victory” and wished him success in his leadership journey.

Music composer A. R. Rahman extended his wishes to both Vijay and the party, expressing hope that his leadership would champion social justice and corruption-free governance.

Congratulatory messages poured in from across industries. Superstar Rajinikanth lauded Vijay and his party for their “resounding victory,” while actors including Dhanush, Kamal Haasan, Mahesh Babu, Ram Charan, and Suriya shared their support and best wishes for his new political journey.

Actors Rashmika Mandanna and Kajal Aggarwal also celebrated the victory, calling it a proud and defining moment for Tamil Nadu. Others, including Vijay Deverakonda and Sivakarthikeyan, joined in congratulating the actor-turned-leader.

With TVK delivering a strong performance across constituencies, the party is now inching closer to the majority mark and may seek alliances with smaller parties to form the government. Backed by a massive fan base built over decades in cinema, Vijay’s transition into politics appears to have resonated strongly, particularly among young and first-time voters, signalling a potential shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.