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Chief Minister Vijay Rebukes Critics Over Film-to-Politics Claims in Assembly Speech
On Tuesday, June 23 2026, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay stepped onto the Legislative Assembly floor in Chennai to confront opposition claims that he had leapt straight from a film set into the state’s highest office.
Vijay began by thanking the people of Tamil Nadu and urging legislators to collaborate for public welfare. He then addressed the narrative that his political rise was a sudden transition from cinema. “Some people say that I came directly from a film shooting set to become chief minister,” he said. “In their own language, I would say that is just a reel. When we were functioning as a fan club, we stood by the people,” he added.
Citing his fan club’s history, Vijay noted that the organization had organized protests and carried out welfare work since 2008—well before he formally entered electoral politics. He also reminded the assembly that his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), was launched in February 2024, framing his political ascent as part of a longer public journey rather than a sudden shift.
The speech sparked a walkout by members of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). According to reports, DMK legislators left the House while Vijay was speaking, a move that drew widespread attention on social media. A clip of the incident, in which Vijay asked Speaker JCD Pabhakar for permission to recreate a gesture once made by former Chief Minister M K Stalin, went viral and was shared across multiple platforms.
Vijay’s film career began with the 1992 debut Naalaiya Theerpu, directed by his father S. A. Chandrasekhar. He rose to prominence with romance films in the 1990s and later became a leading action star with titles such as Thirumalai (2003), Ghilli (2004) and Pokkiri (2007). His later releases—including Thuppakki (2012), Kaththi (2014), Mersal (2017), Bigil (2019), Master (2021), Leo (2023) and The Greatest of All Time (2024)—positioned him among the highest‑grossing actors in Tamil cinema.
In February 2024, Vijay announced his retirement from cinema and formal entry into politics. He founded TVK, a secular and egalitarian party, and contested the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election. The election, held on April 23 2026, saw TVK win 108 seats, becoming the single‑largest party and ending a 59‑year streak of Dravidian dominance. Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister on May 10 2026.
The assembly speech also touched on Vijay’s criticism of the previous DMK government, alleging corruption and mismanagement. The DMK’s response was to walk out, underscoring the heightened political tensions in the House.
The viral moment involving the gesture request highlighted the symbolic nature of Tamil Nadu politics, where public gestures and symbolic acts often carry significant weight. While the gesture itself was a brief exchange, the clip’s rapid spread online illustrates the continued influence of social media on political discourse in the state.
As the assembly continues its work, the incident has added a new chapter to Vijay’s political narrative, reinforcing his image as a leader who blends his cinematic legacy with a long‑standing commitment to public service. The episode also serves as a reminder of the enduring interplay between celebrity culture and political authority in Tamil Nadu.
The current situation remains that the assembly is in session, with the DMK and other opposition parties continuing to monitor the government’s actions. No further statements from the Chief Minister or the DMK have been released since the walkout, and the assembly’s agenda for the coming weeks will likely address the issues raised during the Tuesday session.
Vijay began by thanking the people of Tamil Nadu and urging legislators to collaborate for public welfare. He then addressed the narrative that his political rise was a sudden transition from cinema. “Some people say that I came directly from a film shooting set to become chief minister,” he said. “In their own language, I would say that is just a reel. When we were functioning as a fan club, we stood by the people,” he added.
Citing his fan club’s history, Vijay noted that the organization had organized protests and carried out welfare work since 2008—well before he formally entered electoral politics. He also reminded the assembly that his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), was launched in February 2024, framing his political ascent as part of a longer public journey rather than a sudden shift.
The speech sparked a walkout by members of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). According to reports, DMK legislators left the House while Vijay was speaking, a move that drew widespread attention on social media. A clip of the incident, in which Vijay asked Speaker JCD Pabhakar for permission to recreate a gesture once made by former Chief Minister M K Stalin, went viral and was shared across multiple platforms.
Vijay’s film career began with the 1992 debut Naalaiya Theerpu, directed by his father S. A. Chandrasekhar. He rose to prominence with romance films in the 1990s and later became a leading action star with titles such as Thirumalai (2003), Ghilli (2004) and Pokkiri (2007). His later releases—including Thuppakki (2012), Kaththi (2014), Mersal (2017), Bigil (2019), Master (2021), Leo (2023) and The Greatest of All Time (2024)—positioned him among the highest‑grossing actors in Tamil cinema.
In February 2024, Vijay announced his retirement from cinema and formal entry into politics. He founded TVK, a secular and egalitarian party, and contested the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election. The election, held on April 23 2026, saw TVK win 108 seats, becoming the single‑largest party and ending a 59‑year streak of Dravidian dominance. Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister on May 10 2026.
The assembly speech also touched on Vijay’s criticism of the previous DMK government, alleging corruption and mismanagement. The DMK’s response was to walk out, underscoring the heightened political tensions in the House.
The viral moment involving the gesture request highlighted the symbolic nature of Tamil Nadu politics, where public gestures and symbolic acts often carry significant weight. While the gesture itself was a brief exchange, the clip’s rapid spread online illustrates the continued influence of social media on political discourse in the state.
As the assembly continues its work, the incident has added a new chapter to Vijay’s political narrative, reinforcing his image as a leader who blends his cinematic legacy with a long‑standing commitment to public service. The episode also serves as a reminder of the enduring interplay between celebrity culture and political authority in Tamil Nadu.
The current situation remains that the assembly is in session, with the DMK and other opposition parties continuing to monitor the government’s actions. No further statements from the Chief Minister or the DMK have been released since the walkout, and the assembly’s agenda for the coming weeks will likely address the issues raised during the Tuesday session.
