Thalapathy Vijay, a prominent figure in Tamil cinema for over three decades, has made a significant political debut with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), winning 108 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. This victory marks TVK as the single largest party, reshaping the political landscape of Tamil Nadu. The actor's rise to political prominence is notable for its speed and scale, reflecting the historical intertwining of cinema and politics in the region. Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma shared a rare photograph of Vijay with the late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, highlighting the unexpected nature of Vijay's success. Varma remarked that Karunanidhi would not have imagined that the child in the photo would one day challenge his party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Vijay's messaging throughout his campaign, centered on welfare and governance, has resonated particularly with younger and urban voters, aided by his extensive grassroots networks formed through his fan clubs. This political shift is one of the most closely watched developments in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.