The counting day for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections is set to reveal a significant shift in the political landscape, with smaller parties potentially emerging as 'kingmakers.' The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by popular actor Vijay, is projected by some exit polls to secure the highest number of seats, possibly surpassing the established Dravidian parties, the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam). This change reflects a consolidation of youth and first-time voters rallying around TVK's message of 'secular social justice' and Tamil identity. The performance of other smaller parties, such as the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), is also critical, as even minor shifts in their vote shares could significantly impact the major alliances. The election has been framed around linguistic pride and state autonomy, with the DMK's governance model resonating with many voters, yet the TVK's appeal suggests a growing disillusionment with traditional parties. With the possibility of a hung assembly looming, smaller parties may play a crucial role in coalition negotiations, signaling a potential end to the era of two-party dominance in Tamil Nadu.