FIRST DAY FIRST SHOW

Vijay's political party launch was a huge success, but its long-term prospects depend on winning over rural voters

- LAKSHMI SUBRAMANIAN

The 370km distance from Kodaikanal in south Tamil Nadu to Vikravandi in the northern part of the state did not appear daunting for 23-year-old Dinesh and his wife, Malarkodi. Dinesh, a driver, and Malarkodi, house keeping staff at a local hotel, rode their motorcycle for over eight hours from their hometown to attend superstar Vijay’s political party launch rally at Vikravandi in Villupuram district on October 27. “We believe Vijay can bring in a change and uplift people like us,” said Dinesh.

The couple finally got to listen to Vijay’s speech and also saw him waving from the dais. “This is enough for us. We will vote for him in the next election,” said Malarkodi.

C. Joseph Vijay, called Thalapathy (commander) by his followers, formally launched his party on October 27 with three lakh people in attendance.

Vijay, 49, is one of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema. His latest film GOAT is said to have collected more than 0300 crore from Tamil Nadu alone. Launched by his producer-director father S.A. Chandrasekhar in the late 1990s, Vijay earned praise for his style, mannerisms and dialogue delivery. Chandrasekhar was a staunch follower of the Dravidian ideology and his movies often featured heroes fighting the establishment and deeply entrenched social ills. It was Chandrasekhar who initially pushed Vijay to develop a larger-than-life image.

Vijay made it to the people’s hearts with his brand of films, hard work and philanthropy. The generational transition happening in Dravidian politics is helping him as well. “Everything I achieved was only because of the people.... I have come to you, giving up my career at its peak, trusting you.