Can box-office king Vijay turn his fan following into votes in Tamil Nadu?
entry into politics was not anticipated by the Dravidian establishment or the local media, but neither was it a big surprise. Not just actors, some of the state’s tallest leaders, such as C.N. Annadurai, founder of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and his successor, M.
Karunanidhi, had strong links to the film industry as writers. Both went on to become chief minister.Despite his massive box-office popularity, Vijay is expected to, at best, create a third front, an alternative to the two Dravidian parties that have ruled over Tamil Nadu since 1967.As with his movies, Vijay is keen to go it alone and may accept alliance partner(s) only if he can continue to be the star or first among equals, in any potential pre-election arrangement, say observers.So, just who is this political greenhorn taking on some of the wiliest career politicians in Tamil Nadu, and maybe even the country?Vijay is one of the most popular Tamil film actors today. Like many stars before and after him, he debuted with a failure.
Vijay opened his box office account in an easily forgettable movie, Nalaya Theerpu (Tomorrow’s Verdict), 34 years ago.The movie was directed by his father S.A. Chandrasekhar, a Christian hailing from a village at the southern tip of India, in Rameswaram municipality. The movie was produced by his Hindu mother Shoba.Vijay chose his father’s religion as his own, a fact that will come to play a role in the political career he is now hoping to secure.
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