Risky Bet, Big Payoff: Vijay Pulls Off What Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijayakanth Couldn’t

Last Updated:May 10, 2026, 08:46 IST

Vijay made one of the boldest bets of his life, stepping into politics without being deterred by the risks or uncertainty.

Tamil Nadu Election 2026: There are those who think they can, those who know they can and those who prove only they had the mettle to do it. In the long history of Tamil cinema stars attempting to conquer power, Vijay’s performance today stands as a massive outlier.

Tamil Nadu has long awaited the entry of a new player to end the “Dravidian" binary of the DMK and AIADMK that acted as an impenetrable wall that swallowed the political ambitions of even the biggest legends, and even national parties couldn’t break it.

Cometh The Hour, Cometh The Man. Thalapathy Vijay bid adieu to his successful career in the movie industry to take the political plunge. With the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) winning 108 seats, Vijay has successfully pulled off a “triple-slayer" move, achieving what Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Vijayakanth couldn’t.

1. The “Never-Start": Rajinikanth

For 25 years, superstar Rajinikanth teased a political entry that became the longest-running cliffhanger in Indian history. Vijay fans would not agree, but Rajinikanth’s popularity and following were much bigger than the TVK chief.

However, citing health reasons and the pandemic, Rajinikanth withdrew in 2020 without ever contesting a single seat.

2. The “Urban-Only" Ceiling: Kamal Haasan

Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) made a splash in 2019 and 2021, but it remained largely restricted to urban centres and the “intellectual" vote. By 2026, Kamal has officially opted out of the race, choosing instead to be a “Star Campaigner" for the DMK alliance.

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3. The “Kingmaker" Trap: Vijayakanth

Vijayakanth was the only star to truly shake the system before Vijay. In 2006, his DMDK secured 8% of the vote, and in 2011, he even became the Leader of Opposition in alliance with the AIADMK. However, the DMDK eventually faded as it became a junior partner in fluctuating alliances.

Vijayakanth, affectionately known as “Captain," passed away in 2023.

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What Sets Vijay Apart

Vijay’s strategy marks a clear departure from his predecessors. Unlike Rajinikanth, he did not delay his political plunge. After launching TVK in 2024, he skipped the Lok Sabha elections to focus on building a grassroots organisation, before taking the high-risk decision to contest the 2026 Assembly polls independently.

He also avoided the “urban-only" perception that limited Kamal Haasan’s reach. By blending welfare-driven promises with a focus on both rural constituencies and emerging urban centres, Vijay broadened his appeal across demographics.

Crucially, unlike Vijayakanth, whose peak came within alliance politics, Vijay chose to go solo — positioning TVK as a direct challenger to both the DMK and the AIADMK. Trends suggest this gamble may have paid off.

Echoing legendary investor Warren Buffett’s advice to “be greedy when others are fearful," Vijay made one of the boldest bets of his life, stepping into politics without being deterred by the risks or uncertainty.

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