Tamil Star Vijay’s TVK Wins Over 110 Seats in Landslide Electoral Debut

Key facts

• TVK crossed 110 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, a stunning debut.
• Vijay leads in Perambur and Trichy East, with a 3,299-vote lead in Trichy East after the second round.
• At least 39 people died and 51 were injured in a stampede at a Vijay rally in Karur district.
• The stampede occurred after Vijay’s delayed arrival caused crowds to swell without food or water.
• Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), was launched in 2024 and targets both DMK and BJP.
• Vijay is only the second actor-politician in 43 years to achieve such electoral success, after MGR.
• His film 'Jana Nayagan' faces a leaked version and a new release date of May 8, 2026.
• Trisha Krishnan visited Vijay’s residence on results day, which also coincided with her birthday.

A Political Earthquake in Tamil Nadu

Actor-turned-politician Vijay, known to millions as Thalapathy, has achieved a historic electoral debut, with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) crossing 110 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The result, which emerged from early counting trends, positions TVK as a formidable third force in a state long dominated by the DMK and AIADMK. Vijay himself is leading in both the Perambur and Trichy East constituencies. In Trichy East, he holds a lead of 3,299 votes after the second round of counting; in Perambur, he secured a significant lead in the first round. The victory has sparked celebrations at his Chennai residence, where family members played 'Whistle Podu' from his film 'The Greatest of All Time'.

The Deadly Shadow of Karur

Yet the triumph is overshadowed by tragedy. At least 39 people were killed and 51 injured in a stampede at a Vijay rally in Karur district, weeks before the election. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin confirmed the toll: 13 men, 17 women, four boys, and five girls died; 51 others, including 26 men and 25 women, received intensive treatment. The disaster unfolded when huge crowds gathered for a public meeting as part of Vijay’s state tour. Tamil Nadu police chief DGP Venkatraman attributed the crush to Vijay’s delayed arrival, which caused the crowd to swell without sufficient food or water. Vijay, who arrived at 7:40 pm, was seen throwing water bottles from his campaign vehicle to fainting supporters and calling for police help as the crowd became uncontrollable. “My heart is broken; I am in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow,” Vijay wrote on X, offering condolences to the families of the victims.

From Silver Screen to Ballot Box

Vijay, one of Tamil cinema’s most bankable stars for three decades, launched TVK in 2024, targeting both the state-ruling DMK and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. His unconventional campaign leveraged social media and direct voter appeals, drawing massive crowds and capturing public imagination. His political rise mirrors that of MGR, the only other actor-politician in 43 years to achieve such success. But unlike MGR’s on-screen persona, Vijay’s appeal is built on a contrasting image — a star who, early in his career, faced harsh criticism and even shed tears after his debut. A disagreement temporarily strained his friendship with actor Sanjeev, but he has since emerged as a formidable political force.

Numbers, Trends, and a New Political Calculus

TVK’s performance has disrupted the decades-old bipolar dominance of DMK and AIADMK. Early trends showed the party converting Vijay’s popularity into electoral gains, with the actor leading in two constituencies. The party’s strong showing has been described as a “stark outlier” in early trends, with one analyst noting that “the contrarian is suddenly the outlier.” Celebrities and business leaders have congratulated Vijay. Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu and the producer of his upcoming film 'Jana Nayagan' both praised his historic achievement. The film itself, however, faces financial hurdles and distribution issues after an online leak led to arrests and legal action. A new release date has been set for May 8, 2026.

A New Chapter for Tamil Politics

Vijay’s electoral debut has reshaped Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. His party, TVK, has emerged from the shadows of established parties, capturing public imagination and potentially redrawing the state’s political future. The actor’s admiration for Shah Rukh Khan’s eloquence and his respect for political icons like MGR and Karunanidhi have resurfaced as he transitions to public life. But the road ahead is fraught with challenges. The Karur stampede has raised questions about crowd management and political responsibility. Meanwhile, TVK must now govern or negotiate from a position of strength, navigating a complex political environment. For now, Vijay’s supporters are celebrating a victory that, in the words of one observer, has turned the intoxication of his songs into votes.

The bottom line

• Vijay’s TVK won over 110 seats in its first assembly election, breaking the DMK-AIADMK duopoly.
• A stampede at a Vijay rally killed 39 people, highlighting the risks of massive political gatherings.
• Vijay leads in two constituencies, with a 3,299-vote margin in Trichy East after the second round.
• TVK’s success makes Vijay the second actor-politician in 43 years to achieve such a feat, after MGR.
• Vijay’s film 'Jana Nayagan' was leaked online, leading to arrests and a delayed release on May 8, 2026.
• The actor’s campaign, built on social media and direct voter appeal, has reshaped Tamil Nadu politics.