Chennai: Actor-turned-politician Vijay has taken Tamil Nadu politics by storm with a stunning debut in the 2026 Assembly elections, drawing praise from across the film industry and political spectrum. Among the many voices congratulating him was actress and politician Kushboo Sundar, who hailed him as a true “Jana Nayagan” (people’s leader).
Kushboo’s heartfelt message
Kushboo shared a cheerful picture with Vijay and wrote:
“Heartiest congratulations to my brother @actorvijay and his entire team of #TVK on the spectacular win in Tamil Nadu. God bless you today and always. Now looking forward to seeing you lead, truly as the #JanaNayagan.”
Her message quickly resonated with fans, who have long associated Vijay with mass appeal and strong grassroots support.
A historic political debut
Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as the single largest party, winning 107 out of 234 seats. The result is being seen as a major disruption in a state traditionally dominated by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
Although TVK fell short of the majority mark of 118, the scale of Vijay’s success in his first electoral outing has drawn comparisons with some of the biggest political upsets in recent history.
Celebrities pour in wishes
Several prominent figures from Indian cinema extended their congratulations to Vijay.
Superstar Rajinikanth wrote:
“My congratulations to Thiru Vijay, President of the victorious Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, and to the members of his party on their resounding victory.”
Other celebrities including Kamal Haasan, Rashmika Mandanna, A. R. Rahman, Dhanush, Chiranjeevi and Mahesh Babu also joined in celebrating the landmark victory.
What happens next?
Despite falling short of a clear majority, TVK’s position as the single largest party puts it in a strong position to form the government.
The Governor of Tamil Nadu is expected to invite Vijay to stake claim. Party insiders are optimistic about securing external support from smaller allies, including factions aligned with the DMK such as the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), and VCK.
If successful, Vijay could soon transition from a cinematic icon to the Chief Minister’s office — a journey that has captivated both political analysts and fans alike.
From screen icon to ‘people’s leader’
Vijay’s transformation into a political force has been closely watched, with his fan base playing a crucial role in mobilising support across constituencies.
Kushboo’s description of him as “Jana Nayagan” reflects a sentiment echoed by many supporters — that his appeal goes beyond cinema and into mass leadership.
As Tamil Nadu awaits the next political developments, all eyes are now on Vijay’s next move — and whether his electoral success will translate into stable governance.