Tamil Cinema and politics: The conjoined twins – F’day Spl. Article by Naveen

Tamil Nadu has a long history of actors turning politicians, dating back to the early 1950s, when the Dravidian movement used drama and cinema as a medium to propagate its ideals. Recently Vijay has announced that launch of his party ‘Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’. He also said that the party will contest in the 2026 Assembly polls. Vijay’s political entry comes at a time when he is at the peak of his career and fame in cinema, and at a relatively young age of 49. The actor has now unfurled that party’s flag and the party song.

Let us take a look at some of the prominent actors from Tamil Cinema who floated their own political party.

MGR:

MGR is one of the highly successful south Indian film personality in the world of politics. He began his political journey with the Congress party and later joined the ‘Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’ in 1953. However, he was expelled from the DMK following the death of its founder C N Annadurai in 1969. Three years later, he founded the ‘All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’. He served as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu thrice during his political career.

Vijayakanth:

Vijaykanth, who passed away at the age of 71, founded ‘Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam’ (DMDK) in 2006. He served as an MLA twice, representing the Virudhachalam and Rishivandiyam constituencies in Tamil Nadu.

Kamal Haasan:

In 2018, actor Kamal Hassan launched his party ‘Makkal Needhi Maiam’ in Tamil Nadu. Currently, at the helm of his party’s affairs, Kamal Haasan is now in alliance with the DMK.

R Sarathkumar:

R Sarathkumar has been active in politics from 1994 but established his own party- ‘All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi’ (AISMK)- in 2007. Prior to floating his own party, the Tamil actor was earlier associated with the DMK and the AIADMK. Now Sarathkumar has merged his party with the BJP.

Sivaji Ganesan:

Sivaji Ganesan, another legendary actor in Tamil cinema, had a brief stint in politics. He joined the Congress and later formed his own party, but quit politics after losing the 1989 Assembly election in Thiruvaiyaru.

Apart from this actors Bhagyaraj, T Rajendar and M Karthik have also floated their own parties.