A political rally led by Tamil film icon-turned-politician Vijay ended in tragedy on Saturday when a massive crowd surge in Karur district, Tamil Nadu, left at least 40 people dead.
Tens of thousands had gathered to hear the actor, who now heads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party. The crush occurred mid-speech, sparking chaos and a fierce political blame game.
Who Is Vijay?
Vijay, 51, born Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, is one of Tamil cinema’s most bankable stars. Acting since childhood, he rose to fame with a string of romantic comedies and later became an action hero in blockbusters like Ghilli (2004), Thuppakki (2012), and Kaththi (2014).
His fan base, calling him Ilaya Thalapathy (Young Commander), routinely turns his films into box-office successes, even when critics are unimpressed. The actor’s enduring popularity led to years of speculation about a political career, which he confirmed in 2024 by founding TVK. He has announced that his final film, Jana Nayagan, will release next year.
Vijay’s transition mirrors a familiar path in Tamil Nadu, where stars like M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and J. Jayalalithaa parlayed mass adoration into political power. However, not all film icons succeed in politics: Kamal Haasan’s party has struggled at the polls, and Rajinikanth ultimately opted out of politics altogether.
The Tragedy and Blame Game
Police say TVK organisers failed to anticipate the overwhelming turnout in Karur and neglected adequate safety measures. Opposition parties have accused the ruling DMK government of not deploying enough police to control the crowds.
Some of Vijay’s supporters allege that officials denied TVK permission to use a safer venue. State authorities reject this, insisting the party approved the rally grounds.
The state has announced a commission of inquiry, while TVK has moved the Madras High Court seeking a federal investigation.
Fallout for Vijay
The incident has put Vijay under scrutiny. Critics say his inexperience is showing: he returned to Chennai after the tragedy instead of visiting victims immediately, a move seen as insensitive by many.
“There is no doubt Vijay has a huge following, but he lacks seasoned leadership around him,” says BBC reporter Anbarasan Ethirajan. “The slow response has not gone down well.”
Vijay has since said he is “shattered” by the loss of life and pledged financial compensation for the families of victims. Still, questions remain about whether the disaster will damage his political prospects or if his star power will help him weather the crisis.
