Who is Vijay (Thalapathy) the politician?

Vijay, full name Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, popularly known as "Thalapathy" (Tamil for "Commander"), is a Tamil film actor who founded the political party TVK (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam) in February 2024 and won the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly election. TVK won 109 seats in its debut election and Vijay became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

What is Vijay's age and date of birth?

Vijay was born on June 22, 1974, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He is the son of film director S. A. Chandrasekhar. As of 2026, Vijay is 51 years old.

What is Vijay's educational qualification?

Vijay studied at Fathima Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School in Chennai. He then enrolled in a Visual Communications degree at Loyola College, Chennai, but reportedly left to focus on his film career, which began in the early 1990s.

When did Vijay start his political party TVK?

Vijay officially launched Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on February 2, 2024, at a party convention in Chennai. TVK was registered as an official political party with the Election Commission of India.

What is TVK's ideology?

TVK's stated ideology focuses on anti-corruption, social justice, economic equality, youth empowerment, and Tamil identity. Vijay positioned TVK as distinct from both the DMK and AIADMK, appealing to first-time voters and those disillusioned with established Dravidian parties. TVK also emphasizes secular governance, women's rights, and farmer welfare.

How many seats did TVK win in 2026?

TVK won 109 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly election, its first-ever election. With alliance partners, the TVK-led coalition crossed the 118-seat majority threshold in the 234-seat assembly.

What films is Vijay famous for?

Before entering politics, Vijay was one of Tamil cinema's biggest stars with hits across four decades: Ghilli (2004), Pokkiri (2007), Thuppakki (2012), Mersal (2017), Bigil (2019), and Master (2021) among others. He is also known for commercially successful films like Sarkar (2018) which had political undertones.

Is Vijay a Christian?

Yes. Vijay was born into a Christian family. His full name, Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, reflects his Christian background. His political platform is secular and does not identify with any religious denomination.