OPINION | Vijay vs. NTR: Two superstars, two outsiders, two approaches

Like NTR (on the right), Vijay has chosen to walk away from superstardom at his peak, stepping into the uncertain terrain of politics without the backing of any established party.

Actor Vijay’s political plunge with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has hit a giant pause after the Karur tragedy. While his campaign team recovers and strategises for a comeback, it will be instructive for them to study the campaigns of other thespians-turned-politicians with meticulous care.

Being a Tamil superstar, comparisons with M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) have become inevitable. But a closer look reveals that the more fitting parallel may actually be with another cinematic legend-turned-politician from across the border in Andhra Pradesh viz. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR).

NTR became the Chief Minister in just nine-months after he floated the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in March 1982. Journalist Ramesh Kandula’s autobiography of NTR - “Maverick Messiah” - provides an excellent primer.

Commonality in motivation

Like NTR, Vijay has chosen to walk away from superstardom at his peak, stepping into the uncertain terrain of politics without the backing of any established party. Both men were propelled not by ideology, but by a conviction that they owed something to the people who had exalted them.

Both have neither political lineage nor well-known financial backers. Also, both have not starred in overtly political movies, though some may have had political overtones.

Taking on the establishment

NTR founded the TDP with a clear agenda - to challenge the entrenched Congress order in Andhra Pradesh. Vijay’s TVK, in its early articulation, has positioned itself as an alternative to the DMK–AIADMK duopoly, with a strong undertone of resistance to the BJP’s central dominance. Both movements, at their core, were designed to be fan-centric rebellions against the political status quo of their times.

TDP was dismissed as a party with no “social philosophy”, as much as TVK is criticised for not having a core ideology and for presenting a range of leaders as inspirations. NTR took up the emotive Telugu self-respect as the prime mover of his party. Since DMK is already operating on the Tamil self-respect plank, Vijay seems to have accepted just being an anti-incumbent force.

In both cases, the political establishment was disdainful. NTR was dismissed as a “flash in the pan” by seasoned politicians; Vijay’s critics too see his party as an experiment that will fizzle out in face of challenges. Yet, as the formidable Indira Gandhi herself realised, public sentiment can turn such dismissiveness into a powerful political current.

Politics beyond caste

NTR’s politics was often criticised for being dominated by his Kamma community, yet he consciously framed his appeal in terms of Telugu pride and self-respect - a message that transcended caste. Vijay too seems intent on crafting a message that rises above traditional fault lines, appealing instead to the aspirations of the youth. His Christian identity has not ruffled the feathers.

However, unlike NTR who had Ramoji Rao’s Eenadu media empire, Vijay does not yet have a dedicated media house or propaganda ecosystem to sustain his campaign narrative for the long run. He seems to rely almost exclusively on the power of social media.

Conversely, just like Eenadu’s circulation increased because of NTR, YouTube channels that discuss Vijay have seen increased patronage.

Contrasting leadership styles

Despite the striking parallels, the contrasts are equally instructive. NTR’s leadership was unmistakably commanding and self-assured. He named his party, designed its flag, and even housed its headquarters in his own studio. He frequently met the press, engaged in coalition talks, and kept political opponents on tenterhooks.

Vijay, by contrast, has been far more reserved - his politics so far defined more by symbolism than substance, and by silence rather than speech. His lack of media interviews over years is jarring.

NTR’s political charisma drew heavily from his deep spiritual grounding. His familiarity with the Puranas and mythological imagery infused his persona with a larger-than-life quality. He projected sacrifice - eating, bathing, and sleeping in public during his whirlwind tour of 35,000 kilometres across Andhra Pradesh. Women washed the roads he travelled on, and Eenadu group’s extensive coverage amplified the aura of his mission. Vijay, though equally popular, lacks this spiritual intensity and the same narrative of self-abnegation.

For the reasons stated above, NTR was a much more powerful orator than Vijay. His command of upper class Telugu and penchant for memorising long-winded dialogues gives him an edge over Vijay who has resorted to reading from written notes.

Contrast in organisation building

NTR quickly built an organisation by inviting politically experienced people and young intellectuals. He never let anyone forget that he was the boss by making unilateral announcements. On the other hand, Vijay has taken a lot of brickbats for his wafer thin organisation, driven mostly by the advice of consultants.

NTR’s organisational energy and personal austerity made him a force of nature. He missed his own son’s wedding while covering dozens of meetings a day in a rickety van, forging a direct emotional connection with the electorate. Vijay’s political journey, still in its infancy, is yet to demonstrate such commitment and endurance.

In his choice of General Secretary of the organisation, NTR had chosen the formidable ex-Congress leader, Nadendla Bhaskar Rao (who later became a source of consternation when he usurped power in a Congress backed coup), while Vijay is banking on a relative lightweight in Bussy Anand, a one-time MLA from Pondicherry.

Self-doubt

In his classic, “Hero with a Thousand Faces”, Joseph Campbell argues that no archetypal hero goes on to become one without going through an intense period of self-doubt. Perhaps such clouds of uncertainty are passing over Vijay post-Karur upon understanding the real complexity of his endeavour.

NTR too was plagued by insecurities. He considered giving up when he did not have adequate resources to print publicity material. He discouraged an officer from Delhi (P. Upendra, who became an union minister later) who wrote to him about quitting his job and joining the TDP. He had stalled the plans of his own son-in-law, Chandrababu Naidu, from quitting the Congress in TDP's early days.

Lessons from Chiranjeevi’s short political stint

Chiranjeevi’s short-lived Praja Rajyam Party in Andhra Pradesh offers a cautionary tale as he was the first to attempt copying NTR. Despite his charisma, Chiranjeevi failed to translate stardom into political substance, partly because he treated supporters with a sense of smug detachment. For all his mythic aura, NTR’s political success was ultimately rooted in something very human - a direct, unfiltered connection with the people.

Popularity vs. Leadership 

Both NTR and Vijay built their reputations through roles that celebrated justice, virtue, and the common man - but their transition from reel to real politics reveals the chasm between popularity and leadership. People used to wait for NTR’s “Chaitanya Ratham” to pass by their village for days, not just hours, like they do for Vijay.

But, whether Vijay can find that same moral and emotional voltage will determine whether he remains a cinematic icon dabbling in politics or a transformative political force in Tamil Nadu. Like in all individual-centric ventures success relies mostly on one question: “Is the leader made of sterner stuff?”

(Banuchandar Nagarajan was an aide to Arun Jaitley during the 2014 Lok Sabha campaign.)

Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this organization.