Thalapathy Vijay: How the Tamil superstar became a cultural and political phenomenon

Thalapathy Vijay has became a cultural icon

Actor and politician Thalapathy Vijay has recently made headlines following a tragic stampede during his rally in Karur that took around 36 lives. Hundreds and thousands of fans gathered at Karur for his political rally just to have a glimpse of Vijay.

Vijay has been in the entertainment industry for over three decades and has eventually become a cultural icon whose impact extends well beyond Tamil Nadu. He has established himself as one of the most lovable and bankable actors in Indian cinema.

He has ruled over millions with his resilience, growth, and an unparalleled connection with the audience since he was a young actor in the 1990s.

He made an impression on the audience as the "boy-next-door" early in his career, which won over family audiences.  He transformed himself into a fantastical mass hero over time, striking a balance between commercial entertainment and socially conscious stories. Vijay has since evolved as "Thalapathy," the leader of the masses.

Vijay’s movies have appealed to a broad audience while combining powerful messages with intense action. His films like Mersal, Sarkar, Master, and Leo have registered record-breaking collections in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The fact that his films often receive the kind of reception usually reserved for native Tollywood stars speaks volumes about his magnetic pull.

Vijay’s fans turn the release of his movies into a big celebration. From his huge cutouts, midnight parties, dhol and crackers outside the theatres, milk anointment and social media trends to record-breaking box office receipts, Vijay’s dedicated fans go all and above for his releases.

His impact goes beyond the movie industry as he has now entered politics. Despite landing in a few controversies, his fans still regard him as a symbol of empowerment and change and a voice for young people's aspirations and social responsibility.

Upcoming project

Vijay is speculated to retire from acting, marking his upcoming film Jana Nayagan as his last.

Jana Nayagan is said to be the highly anticipated and most-awaited film, which also stars Bobby Deol, Pooja Hegde, Prakash Raj, Priyamani, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mamitha Baiju, Narain, and Shruti Haasan in the key roles.

Directed by H Vinoth, Jana Nayagan is set to hit the theatres on January 9.