Meet Joseph Vijay, Left Cinema At Career's Peak, Now Tamil Nadu's New CM Amid Personal Controversies

Thalapathy Vijay's rise from cinema to reigning over Tamil Nadu's politics wasn't an overnight journey. It took years of work behind the scenes amid soaring personal controversies.

11 May 2026, 00:01 by Riddhika Das · BollywoodShaadis

Tamil cinema's beloved 'Thalapathy' is now the new 'Muthalvar' of Tamil Nadu. When C. Joseph Vijay pursued acting and made his big screen debut, little did he know that he would one day become one of the biggest stars Indian cinema has ever produced.

With his massive fan following in Kollywood and beyond, Vijay became the kind of star people just couldn’t forget. Fans often point to veteran actor Nassar’s son, Abdul Asan Faizal, who reportedly continued recognising and admiring Vijay even after suffering memory loss following a major accident.

For decades, Vijay ruled the box office with blockbuster films like Kaththi, Sarkar, and Leo, and larger-than-life dialogues. But few imagined the shy actor would one day walk away from cinema at the height of his career and alter the outlook of Tamil Nadu's political strata.

Vijay takes oath as Tamil Nadu's new Chief Minister

On Sunday, May 10, 2026, Joseph Vijay, 51, officially took oath as Tamil Nadu's new Chief Minister after his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s stunning election victory. The swearing-in ceremony officially marked the end of DMK’s rule in the state and the beginning of a new political chapter under the leadership of one of Tamil cinema's biggest superstars. His oath-taking was attended key dignitaries from politics and Indian cinema.

Pic: ANI

In his first speech as Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister, Vijay won hearts with his message to grassroots-level citizens. Amid loud cheers and whistles, he delivered an emotional speech promising transparency and social justice. "This is a new beginning. A new era of real, secular, social justice starts now," he repeatedly stated.

How Vijay rose from 'Thalapathy' to Chief Minister

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Vijay's transition from cinema to politics certainly didn't happen overnight. It took years of carefully building a public image, though in a style not common in mainstream politics. Rather than campaigning aggressively or introducing candidates, he steered clear of constant rallies and media interviews, Vijay communicated directly through social media, and his messages spread rapidly through fan networks and word of mouth via young voters.

Long before launching TVK in 2024, his speeches at film events had already begun carrying subtle political and social messaging. His popular line, “En nenjil kudiyirukkum nanba, nanbi…” (“My friends who live in my heart”), became a signature greeting much like iconic political leaders before him. And eventually, his films also began reflecting political themes.

Movies like Kaththi tackled farmer distress and corporate exploitation, Mersal focused on GST politics, while while Sarkar focused heavily on electoral corruption and voter rights. Fans increasingly began viewing Vijay not just as a star, but as a potential leader. Speaking about his potential, his Poove Unakkaga dictor Vikraman recently told PTI:

"Even back then, I was confident that he would go on to rule the cinema industry. I knew there was something special about him that would make people go crazy for him."

In 2024, Vijay officially launched Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and declared that after completing his final film Jana Nayagan, he would fully step away from cinema to focus on politics. Within just two years, TVK emerged as the biggest surprise of the election and secured enough support to form the government, ending the nearly six-decade Dravidian dominance.

Vijay's cinematic journey before politics

Chandrasekaran Joseph Vijay, born on June 22, 1974, is the son of filmmaker S. A. Chandrasekhar and playback singer Shoba Chandrasekhar. He was barely 10 when he made his acting debut as a child actor in the 1984 film Vetri. Later, in 1992, he debuted his lead role with the film Naalaiya Theerpu. Over the years, he built an impressivev career through romantic dramas, family entertainers and action-packed blockbusters.

Vijay's breakthrough came with Poove Unakkaga, which transformed him into a bankable star. In the three decades that followed, he became one of the most influential stars in South Indian cinema with films like Ghilli, Thuppakki, Mersal, Master and Leo. And just at the peak of his stardom, he made the shocking decision to retire from films.

Personal controversies followed Vijay alongside politics

While his political popularity soared nationwide, his personal life dominated headlines. One of the biggest controversies that emerged was in early 2026, when reports claimed his wife, Sangeetha Sornalingam, had filed for divorce after 27 years of marriage. Speculation surrounding Vijay’s alleged closeness with actress Trisha Krishnan only intensified the media frenzy, especially after Trisha attended several TVK-related public events.

It was March 2026, when reports claimed that Sangeetha had filed for a divorce from Vijay, citing infidelity with an actress. While no name was revealed, it took people no time to link the actor to Trisha Krishnan. Reports also alleged the couple had been living separately for nearly two years before the divorce filing. Rumours of a massive alimony settlement further fueled gossip, though none of the claims were officially confirmed by Vijay or his family. Notably, neither Sangeetha not their kids Jason and Divya, were present in his oath-taking ceremony, while Trisha was seen hugging the new CM's mother.

Besides his marital drama, family controversy also surfaced earlier. In 2020, Vijay publicly distanced himself from a political outfit launched by his father using his name. The actor even approached court seeking restrictions against the use of his image and fan clubs for political purposes without his approval.

Despite the controversies, Vijay managed to retain overwhelming public support. He entered politics at the absolute peak of his cinematic career, walked away from a billion-dollar film industry presence and built a party powerful enough to challenge decades of Dravidian dominance within just two years.

For now, the state has wholeheartedly embraced its newest superstar chief minister.