Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ April 23rd marked an important day for Tamil Nadu as voters turned out in crowds to elect 234 members to the state’s legislative assembly. Long queues formed outside polling stations in cities and towns across the state, reflecting the high level of interest shown by citizens in the election. Accordingly, some of the biggest stars of Tamil cinema also made their mark in the polls with increased interest and visibility. Top actors such as Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Vijay were among those who cast their votes. Videos of their visits to polling booths quickly spread on social media, drawing a lot of attention from fans and the public.
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While celebrity participation in elections is not new in Tamil Nadu, this year carried added significance due to Vijay’s political debut. Actor Vijay is running for office for the first time. He started his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, in 2024. His party aims to be a third choice for voters by positioning itself as an alternative to the state’s long-standing political forces. As such, the party is running in all 234 constituencies, reflecting their interest to make a big splash in a political scene that has been dominated by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). His campaign has focused on welfare measures, particularly those related to women’s empowerment and economic support.
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On polling day, Rajinikanth arrived at a Chennai polling station accompanied by his daughter. Dressed simply, he greeted the media briefly after voting and encouraged citizens to exercise their franchise responsibly. Kamal Haasan, who heads his own political party, also cast his vote in the city along with his daughter, actor Shruti Haasan. Both acknowledged the importance of the occasion by displaying their inked fingers. Actor Ajith Kumar was among the early voters, reaching a polling station in Thiruvanmiyur in the morning. His arrival drew a large crowd, prompting tight security arrangements. Vijay, meanwhile, visited a polling booth in Chennai amid heavy fan presence. His participation attracted particular attention, given his dual role as both a voter and a candidate in this election.
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Other well-known figures from the Tamil film industry also turned up to vote. Actor Sivakarthikeyan cast his vote along with his wife and later shared a message on social media urging people to fulfil their civic duty. Prabhu Deva, the choreographer and filmmaker, uploaded a post-voting picture, and actor Trisha Krishnan was spotted smiling and leaving her polling booth while showing her inked finger. Dhanush, Jiiva, RJ Balaji, and music composer Anirudh Ravichander also voted among several others. Young filmi members such as Dhruv Vikram were also seen exercising their right to vote.
Several celebrities reminded the public to vote wisely, making smart and educated choices while voting. Messages from the actors highlighted the need to consider governance, accountability, and the future when choosing their leader. The relation between cinema and politics in Tamil Nadu has always been very strong. Over the years, several actors have made an entry into public life. This election has brought that relationship back into focus, especially with Vijay’s political debut. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. Until then, the state remains in a wait-and-watch mode as the results are expected to shape the next phase of Tamil Nadu’s political journey.
