From Silver Screen to Secretariat: TN Chief Minister Vijay Turns 52

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, widely known as 'Thalapathy' to his fans, celebrates his 52nd birthday on Monday, June 22, 2026. The former actor and founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) now leads the state after his party secured a majority in the 2026 Assembly elections. He was sworn in as Chief Minister on May 10, 2026.

Vijay began his film journey as a child actor in movies directed by his father, SA Chandrasekhar. His first leading role came at age 18 in the 1992 film "Naalaiya Theerpu." Over nearly four decades, he acted in 68 films, building a massive fan base across Tamil Nadu. During the late 1990s, hits like "Coimbatore Mappillai," "Poove Unakkaga," "Love Today," "Kadhalukku Mariyadhai," "Priyamudan," and "Thullatha Manamum Thullum" cemented his place as a leading star.

In the early 2000s, Vijay shifted from romance dramas — including "Kannukkul Nilavu," "Kushi," "Priyamaanavale," and "Shahjahan" — to action roles. Blockbusters such as "Thirumalai," "Ghilli," "Thirupaachi," "Sivakasi," and "Pokkiri" marked his transformation into a superstar. After a few setbacks in the late 2000s, he roared back with "Nanban" and "Thuppakki" in the early 2010s, earning fans across generations.

Vijay has announced his retirement from films, with "Jana Nayagan" — directed by H Vinoth — set to be his final movie. He now focuses entirely on governance through TVK. On his birthday, we look back at the journey of a man who moved from entertaining millions on screen to leading the state from the Secretariat.

📰 Source: The Hindu National