The Vijay factor: Big crowds and bigger questions

For more than two decades, Vijay had remained one of Tamil Cinema’s most recognisable figures, with a fan base that cuts across districts, caste groups, and age categories. Long before launching his party, his fan clubs functioned as organised local networks that carried out welfare activities during floods, the pandemic years, and other crises. Today, those same networks form the backbone of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), raising a key political question whether a cinema-based support structure translates into durable electoral strength. But this transition has also faced a test. The Karur stampede, which left over 40 people dead during a TVK event, has brought questions of organisation, accountability, and political readiness into sharper focus. TNM’s Pooja Prasanna and Shabbir Ahmed examine whether Vijay's transition from cinema icon to political challenger can move beyond visibility and momentum to become a sustained electoral force. Like our journalism? Become a subscriber: https://www.thenewsminute.com/subscri... Contribute to our reporting fund: https://pages.razorpay.com/reporting-... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to The News Minute, your go-to source for impactful stories from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. Our videos dive deep into Politics, Society, Education, Health, Law, Policy, Entertainment, Pop Culture, and Lifestyle, bringing you in-depth coverage of the issues that matter most in south India. From immersive storytelling and exclusive interviews to sharp analysis and documentaries, our reporters—deeply rooted in the region—bring you unparalleled access to local stories and insights. Look south, think TNM. Subscribe to The News Minute: https://www.thenewsminute.com/subscri... Follow and engage with us on social media: Whatsapp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAP... Twitter: https://x.com/thenewsminute Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenewsminu... Facebook:   / thenewsminute