In just a few days, the results of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections will be announced. However, ahead of the same, exit polls suggest that Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), could emerge as a decisive
player. While some projections point to a kingmaker role in a tight DMK vs AIADMK contest, others are floating the possibility of a hung Assembly.
Even though Vijay’s fans are now eagerly waiting to know whether their favourite movie star might be the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, it should be noted that this is not the first time a film celebrity has entered the politics of the Southern Indian state.
Tamil Nadu remains unique in how deeply cinema influences political identity. For decades, power has oscillated between parties rooted in film culture. Let’s take a look at other actors who became big in Tamil Nadu politics:
M G Ramachandran
M G Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR, set the template for film stars in Tamil politics. He was an actor, director and film producer who founded the AIADMK and ruled Tamil Nadu for a decade. He served as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death in 1987.
Jayalalithaa
J Jayalalithaa followed in MGR’s footsteps and evolved from a top actress in the Tamil film industry to one of India’s most powerful political figures. She also served as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu for more than fourteen years between 1991 and 2016.
Karunanidhi
M. Karunanidhi may not have been an actor, but he was a prolific screenwriter who worked on films like Parasakthi, Ponnar Shankar and Panam, among others. He founded DMK in 1949 and became party president in 1969. He also served as the Chief Minister of the state for five terms.
Kamal Haasan
Haasan entered Tamil Nadu politics in 2018 when he founded his Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party. Even though his party faced electoral setbacks in 2019 and 2021, Kamal Haasan joined the DMK-led alliance in 2024. This move led to his election as a Rajya Sabha MP in 2025.
