Months after launching his political party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), prominent Tamil actor Vijay is expected to outline his political agenda and vision for the state at his eagerly anticipated first public meeting on Sunday. He has declared his intention to contest in the 2026 Assembly elections, adding excitement to the political landscape traditionally dominated by the Dravidian parties, DMK and AIADMK, alongside the BJP's rising influence under K Annamalai after recent Lok Sabha elections.

Vijay, whose films have consistently been top earners, introduced his party in February, joining a growing list of Tamil cinema stars entering politics. He recently revealed the TVK party flag, and the public meeting in Vikravandi is drawing keen interest from political parties, observers, and the public as he prepares to share his vision and agenda.

The 50-year-old actor has hinted that he won't stray from current political trends, having publicly opposed NEET, a contentious issue in Tamil Nadu. Numerous medical aspirants, beginning with S Anitha from Ariyalur in 2017, have tragically taken their lives due to struggles with the qualifying test.

The conference venue featured cutouts of Dravidian leader EV Ramasamy 'Periyar' and BR Ambedkar, signaling his party's principles. A cutout of former Chief Minister K Kamaraj was also present. Tamil Nadu has historically resisted NEET, with both AIADMK and the ruling DMK previously passing resolutions to ban it.

Vijay’s upcoming film, the high-budget ensemble "GOAT," is rumored to be his final project. Supporters gathered at the venue early on Sunday, eager to see their 'Thalapathy,' or Commander, despite the heat.

Vijay is the latest significant figure to enter Tamil Nadu's political arena; actor Kamal Haasan previously founded Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) six years ago. The late Vijayakanth also launched his party in 2005, achieving electoral success, whereas Haasan has not enjoyed the same prominence. Superstar Rajinikanth had previously announced a political venture but later withdrew for health reasons.

M G Ramachandran, known as MGR, is regarded as the pioneer of the cinema-to-politics transition, founding AIADMK in 1972 after leaving DMK. He served as Chief Minister from 1977 until his death in 1987. His protégé, the late J Jayalalithaa, also became a Chief Minister. Karunanidhi was involved in cinema as a writer, while contemporaries like Sivaji Ganesan and K Bhagyaraj briefly engaged in politics with their own parties.