New Delhi: Tamil superstar Thalapathy Vijay on Thursday unveiled the flag of his newly-founded political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) at the party headquarters in Panayur, Chennai.
Vijay gave a brief speech after unveiling the yellow and red flag, which had two elephants and a Vagai flower surrounded by stars. During the Sangam period, Tamil kings used to wear garlands made of Vagai flowers as a symbol of victory.
In his speech, Vijay said, “Our flag will become the symbol of our state. Along with the flag, we are also presenting our party anthem. Our flag will fly across the country and Tamil Nadu will be even better now. Victory is certain.”
Party general secretary and former Puducherry MLA Bussy Anand welcomed the gathering. TVK was launched in February and this was its first public event. Vijay’s entry into politics will definitely change the existing political equations in Tamil Nadu.
Vijay is a star in his own right and his fan club ‘Vijay Makkal Iyyakam’ has one million members. This fan club was established soon after his entry as the lead actor in the film ‘Naalaiya Theerpu’ (1992). Vijay Makkal Iyyakam is now registered as All India Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyyakam (AITVMI).
Vijay has now joined the elite club of Tamil matinee idols who have ventured into politics. The list includes iconic actor MG Ramachandran (MGR), who started the AIADMK and became one of the most popular chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, Dr J Jayalalithaa was also a matinee idol who became one of the strongest chief ministers of the state.
However, not all Tamil actors who join politics are success stories. For instance, Sivaji Ganesan, Vijayakanth and Kamal Haasan have not been that successful in Tamil Nadu politics. Rajinikanth, the living legend of the Tamil film industry, had announced his entry into politics just before the 2016 assembly elections but backed out citing ill health.
It may be recalled that in the 2021 local body elections, the AITVMI contested 169 seats and won 115. It was a surprise win as Vijay’s fan club outpolled Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Nidhi Mayyam (MNM) and Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) – both of which remained vacant.
Vijay is focusing on the 2026 Assembly elections and has already announced that he will retire from films after the release of the much-awaited action thriller, Goat in September.
