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Hero worship in the world of Indian cinema is hardly a new phenomenon. From Bollywood to Kollywood and Tollywood, film industries across India have long produced stars whose admirers treat them with near-religious devotion. Fan clubs, massive cut-outs, milk abhishekams, and theatrical celebrations have been part of this culture for decades. What is new, however, is the way this culture has begun to spill over more intensely into electoral politics. Increasingly, loyalty to a celebrity appears to translate directly into political allegiance. Tamil Nadu’s current political moment, especially the enthusiasm surrounding actor Vijay and his party Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), illustrates how this trend may be entering a new and worrying phase.

For decades, Tamil Nadu prided itself on a distinctive political tradition shaped by debates around social justice, rationalism, linguistic pride, federalism, and secularism. The influence of the Dravidian movement ensured that politics was often framed through ideological contestation rather than mere personality. Leaders were evaluated not only for their popularity but also for their positions on social reform and governance.

This reputation created the impression that Tamil Nadu possessed one of the most politically conscious electorates in India. Recent developments, however, raise questions about whether that legacy is slowly eroding.

Of course, this is not to deny the role of films in politics. Cinema has always played a role in shaping the state’s politics. The careers of leaders such as C. N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi, M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), and later J. Jayalalithaa demonstrate how film and politics often intersected in Tamil Nadu. When MGR assumed leadership of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and became Chief Minister, the boundary between cinema and politics blurred dramatically.

His immense screen popularity helped him build political legitimacy among large sections of the electorate. However, there was also........

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