A star is born in Tamil Nadu politics: Quiet, introverted, persistent

A star is born in Tamil Nadu politics: Quiet, introverted, persistent

CHENNAI: Long before the towering cut-outs came into play, was a quiet presence. An introvert, far removed from the archetype of a fiery public speaker, his journey has been defined less by flair and more by persistence. Academics held little interest for him. Backed by his father, filmmaker S A Chandrasekhar, Vijay grew up around film sets, appearing as a child artist in productions through the 1980s. It was an early immersion into an industry that can be as unforgiving as it is glamorous.

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Also read: Hung, but high: TVK’s debut with 34.9% vote share highest in TN history; will Stalin allies swing numbers? His debut as a leading man in 'Naalaiya Theerpu' (1992) was low key. In a field crowded with striking personalities such as Ajith Kumar and Vikram, Vijay struggled to stand out. Setbacks were frequent, success seemed distant. A breakthrough came with 'Senthoorapandi' (1993) alongside Vijayakant, which helped him gain visibility. But it still took years for Vijay to find his footing. Director Vikraman's 'Poove Unakkaga' (1996) marked a turning point, establishing him as a relatable lead. That success was cemented with 'Kadhalukku Mariyadhai' (2000), directed by Fazil. From then, his rise was steady. His collaborators often point to his resilience. Director K S Ravikumar, who worked with him on 'Minsara Kanna' (1999), says failure never seemed to weigh him down. It is a quality that now informs conversations about his next act-politics. Actor Rahman, who delivered back-to-back hits with Chandrasekhar, says, "When I was shooting for 'Nilava Malare', Vijay would often be present on the sets - quiet, observant, and introverted." His political inclinations surfaced more recently. A meeting with Rahul Gandhi in 2010 hinted at early curiosity, though it did not translate into any immediate activity. His confrontation with former chief minister J Jayalalithaa over the release of 'Thalaivaa' (2013) revealed the complexities of navigating power in Tamil Nadu. The episode, marked by protests, a temporary ban, and eventual resolution, offered a glimpse into the intersection of cinema and politics in the state. Also read: Who will be West Bengal’s next CM? Buzz grows as Samik Bhattacharya, Suvendu Adhikari asked to stay in Delhi Today, Vijay's entry into active politics comes at a moment of transition. Tamil Nadu's political landscape, long defined by dominant parties and towering leaders, is evolving. Political analyst R Kannan says Vijay represents a new kind of entrant whose support base cuts across traditional lines. Much, however, will depend on what follows the initial surge of enthusiasm. Converting popularity into a durable political structure is a challenge. Producer-actor Chithralakshmanan, who shared screen space with Vijay in 'Sukran', says, "He had the opportunity to align with leaders from various parties before the election, but he chose not to give in to temptations or pressures. He was never interested in being a king-maker-he wanted to be the king."