In 1983, ahead of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections, Andhra remained undivided. Months before the polls, Rajiv Gandhi visited Hyderabad. At the time, Congress was in power, and T. Anjiah was the Chief Minister. It is said that Rajiv Gandhi slighted T. Anjiah at the airport, later leading to Anjiah's government's dismissal.
The incident sparked action by Telugu cinema superstar N.T. Rama Rao, who founded the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Linking Anjiah's insult to Telugu pride, he embarked on a whirlwind 75,000-kilometer journey across the state before the elections.
This campaign caused a political upheaval as N.T. Rama Rao unseated the Congress government. Despite forming just months before the election, TDP won 201 out of 294 seats, reducing Congress to 60. Known for portraying Krishna, Karna, and Duryodhan in films, N.T. Rama Rao had ascended to the Chief Minister's office.
Interestingly, N.T. Rama Rao was not the first superstar to lead a southern state. M.G. Ramachandran, or MGR, had already been Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Bringing N.T. Rama Rao and MGR into context highlights a new entry in political circles—a southern superstar, Thalapathy Vijay, now preparing to take on a significant political role.
Vijay's political party, 'Thamizhaga Vetttri Kazhagam' (TVK), is set to contest the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Launched in July, Vijay's party held its inaugural rally on October 27. Vijay addressed the rally, claiming it drew millions of attendees.
In his first rally, Vijay outlined his vision, asserting his party's aim to contest the 2026 Assembly elections and be open to alliances.
The Tamil Nadu elections in April 2026 are set to be intriguing with Vijay's debut. Historically, the contest has centered on DMK and AIADMK, with Congress and BJP forming alliances with them.
During the rally, Vijay raised topics of Tamil nationalism and Dravidian identity, referencing Periyar, who holds significant influence in Tamil Nadu. However, Vijay clarified he does not subscribe to Periyar's atheism.
One of his supporters expressed confidence to news agency ANI, believing Vijay will make history in the 2026 elections.
Source: aajtak
The Influence of Film and Politics in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu's cinema has wielded considerable influence over its politics. For over six decades, its chief ministers often had links to the film industry.
C.N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi, M.G. Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa, and M.K. Stalin share connections with Tamil cinema.
After diverging from Periyar, Annadurai's formation of DMK utilized films to promote Tamil and Dravidian nationalism. Under his leadership, DMK triumphed in the 1967 elections, marking a first for a regional party forming a government on its own in India.
Following Annadurai, Karunanidhi, another film industry figure, took the reins. He contributed as a renowned screenwriter in Tamil cinema. M.G. Ramachandran also achieved significant fame in Tamil films, serving as Chief Minister from 1977 to 1987. Jayalalithaa, too, had a film career, as did current Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who has acted in several Tamil films. His son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, has followed the acting path.
Many Southern movie stars have sought their fortunes in politics. In December 2017, Tamil cinema megastar Rajinikanth announced his political ambitions and formed a party, intending to contest the 2021 Assembly elections. However, in December 2020, he withdrew due to health concerns.
Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi entered politics in 2008 with the Praja Rajyam Party. The party won 18 seats in the 2009 Andhra Pradesh elections before merging with Congress. Chiranjeevi distanced from politics in 2014, while his brother Pawan Kalyan continued his legacy.
Pawan Kalyan founded the Jana Sena Party in 2014. While its 2014 and 2019 election performances were unremarkable, the party secured 21 seats in this year's Andhra Assembly elections, with Pawan Kalyan as Deputy CM in Chandrababu Naidu's government.
Similarly, Kamal Haasan ventured into politics in 2018, founding the 'Makkal Needhi Maiam' party. Despite contesting the 2021 Tamil Nadu elections from the Coimbatore seat, he lost to BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan.
Source: aajtak
South Indian Actors Outshine Bollywood in Politics
It's not just Southern Indian film stars taking political plunges; Bollywood and Northern India stars have also ventured into the political sphere. Yet, Southern film stars have seen significantly more success.
Leaders like Annadurai, M.G.R., N.T.R., Karunanidhi, Jayalalithaa, and M.K. Stalin went from cinematic fame to political leadership, reaching Chief Ministerial positions. Few Bollywood or other industry figures have scaled these political heights.
But why is this the case? One factor is the films themselves. For instance, Tamil movies in the '60s and '70s often addressed social issues like untouchability, landowner oppression, and religious hypocrisy, with a character named 'Anna' symbolizing wisdom and resistance, mirroring Annadurai's moniker. This synergy fueled massive crowds at Annadurai's rallies, amplifying his popularity through cinema.
A similar narrative played out with Jayalalithaa. Her debut song, 'Amma's Love,' was in Tamil, but she gained the nickname 'Amma.' As Chief Minister, she launched several initiatives under the 'Amma' brand.
Likewise, N.T.R., the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, moved from theater to film, often portraying mythological roles, enhancing his fame. To foster Telugu pride, he launched the Telugu Desam Party, receiving widespread support.
Experts suggest Tamil and Telugu cinema operated like propaganda machines, cementing these stars' political footholds.
