It may look like a lucky break, but Vijay’s political surge has been decades in the making. As the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 trends surprise even seasoned observers, those who have tracked his journey say the rise of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is rooted in persistence, not chance.“When Vijay entered cinema, he faced intense scrutiny — from body shaming to doubts about his screen presence,” recalls film critic Latha Srinivasan. “He didn’t fit the conventional hero mould. But he never gave up.” As his stardom grew, so did the political undercurrents in his cinema. Dialogues became sharper, themes more socially charged, and titles like Thalaivaa hinted at leadership ambitions. At his residence, celebrations broke out as family members tracked the results. Music and dancing marked the occasion, with Whistle Podu from The Greatest of All Time setting the tone — a reminder of the star power that fuelled his journey. —