As Tamil Nadu prepared to witness one of the most dramatic political moments in recent years, actor-turned-politician Vijay arrived at the final stretch of his journey from cinema icon to chief minister. On Sunday morning, all eyes were not just on the swearing-in venue at Chennai’s Nehru Stadium, but also on Vijay’s parents, who were seen leaving for the ceremony amid massive public excitement.
Filmmaker SA Chandrasekhar appeared visibly emotional while speaking to mediapersons before heading to the event. Calling it a proud moment as a father, he said he was eager to witness Vijay officially take the oath as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister. “I am very happy... my son is going to take an oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,” he said.
For Vijay’s mother, Shoba Chandrasekhar, the occasion carried an additional emotional layer as the ceremony happened to fall on Mother’s Day. Smiling as cameras surrounded her, she described the day as a deeply special one and said she was overwhelmed with happiness.
The family’s emotional reactions come less than 24 hours after Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, crossed the final hurdle in its bid to form the government. While the party emerged as a major force in the Assembly elections, it initially failed to secure the numbers required to form a government on its own. Several rounds of political negotiations followed before TVK eventually demonstrated majority support before Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Saturday evening.
Soon after the majority was confirmed, Chandrasekhar was seen breaking down emotionally in visuals shared by ANI. Struggling to speak, he repeatedly said he was “so, so happy". When asked whether he had once dreamt of becoming a political leader himself, the veteran filmmaker quickly dismissed the suggestion and said his focus had always been on supporting his son’s growth. He also added that Vijay should dedicate his tenure to the welfare of the Tamil people.
Vijay’s rise in politics has been unusually swift. After formally launching TVK in 2024, the actor managed to convert his massive fan following into electoral momentum within just two years. His success has already sparked comparisons with legendary actor-politicians such as NT Rama Rao, who famously reshaped Andhra Pradesh politics after entering public life.