Tamil movie superstar Vijay is set to take a decisive step into Tamil Nadu politics, launching a new party that he announced on Feb 2 would be called Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (Tamil Victory Party).
He said in a statement: "You are all aware of the current political climate. There is administrative malpractice and corruption on one hand, and divisive politics that strives to divide people on the basis of caste and religion, on the other hand.
"Tamil Nadu is yearning for a political change that can lead to a selfless, transparent, caste-free, visionary and corruption-free administration."
In January, the general council of his fan club, the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (Vijay People's Movement), unanimously elected the actor as the new party's president, while his long-time aide and former Congress legislator Bussy Anand of Puducherry union territory was named the general secretary.
Although India is expected to hold national elections before May 2024 with the current Parliament scheduled to end in June, Mr Vijay may skip this contest. Instead, he and his party will run in the next Tamil Nadu state election in 2026.
Born Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, but known to his fans as Vijay, or Thalapathy (commander), the soft-spoken 49-year-old actor is known for his dancing chops and films for the masses.
He often plays urbane heroes who use high kicks and colloquial Tamil to protect women from sleazy baddies and students from corrupt businessmen all the while never losing his cool.
His dance moves, a signature blend of the energetic Tamil street "koothu" style, breakdance and hip-hop, which he performs with hundreds of extras in at least two songs in every film, have been widely recreated at weddings and dance contests.
He is immensely popular across Tamil Nadu, his smiling face gracing many a poster and two-storeyhigh cutout.
Tamil Nadu has a history of huge film personalities entering politics.
Denne historien er fra February 04, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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