Just a reel: CM Vijay hits back at critics who mocked his journey from films to politics
In the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay hit back at critics who had dismissed him as a film star. The speech linked her political rise to years of fan club activism and sparked walkouts and viral reactions.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday lashed out in the state Assembly at critics who said they would continue to dismiss him as a film star even after the elections. His comments came in response to the opposition’s claims made on Monday, and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) members also walked out of the House while he was speaking.
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Vijay thanked the people of Tamil Nadu and called upon all members in the Assembly to work together for public welfare. Referring to the criticism of his journey from cinema to politics, he said, “Some people say that I have come straight from the film shooting set to become the Chief Minister. In their language I would say that it is just a reel. When we were working as a fan club, we stood with the people.”
He said his fan club had been organizing protests on various issues and doing welfare work since 2008, long before he entered electoral politics. Vijay also pointed out that his party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), was launched much later, presenting his political rise as part of a long public journey rather than a sudden change.
A moment from the speech that later went viral was when Vijay asked Speaker JCD Pabhakar for permission to recreate a gesture made by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. The exchange attracted widespread attention online, with many users sharing clips from the assembly.
..@TVKVijayHQ!!
…. pic.twitter.com/Q8QVyKh6CX– Prakaz Vijay (@PrakazVijay_Of) June 23, 2026
about victory
Vijay started his film career as a lead actor in 1992. Nalaiya TheerpuWhich was directed by his father SA Chandrashekhar and produced by his mother Shoba Chandrashekhar. He acted in several films and became one of the leading stars of Kollywood. His most recent releases were heir And leo In 2023, after greatest of all time In 2024.
His last film, Jan NayganWas scheduled for Pongal release but was postponed due to delay in CBFC certification. The film was sent to a vetting committee after a complaint by a member of the screening committee. Even after six months, it is yet to be certified and released. In April, an HD print of the film was leaked online, following which several arrests were made.
Vijay launched Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam in 2024 and won its first election two years later. On May 10, he took oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.