Actor-turned-politician Vijay Thalapathy recently assumed the position of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after his party's decisive victory in the 2026 state elections. In the wake of this political milestone, Malayalam cinema legend Mohanlal, who co-starred with Vijay in the 2014 film 'Jilla,' shared his insights on Vijay's immense popularity and the deep affection people hold for him.
Mohanlal's Perspective on Vijay's Stardom
During the promotional tour for 'Drishyam 3,' Mohanlal participated in an interview with Galatta Plus. When asked about the reasons behind Vijay's strong connection with audiences and his colossal fan base, Mohanlal remarked that stardom is a phenomenon that defies easy explanation, attributing it to an inherent magic. He stated, "It's basically the characters we play, not the personal stuff." Mohanlal elaborated that audiences primarily relate to actors through the roles they portray on screen, and they are often drawn to the emotions and image crafted in films.
Comparison with MGR and Rajinikanth
Mohanlal also drew comparisons with legendary stars such as M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Rajinikanth. He observed that people adored MGR because of the characters he brought to life in movies, adding, "We never really looked at the personal life; that is something different." Discussing Rajinikanth, Mohanlal noted that his level of superstardom is immense and challenging to articulate. He emphasized that cinema possesses a unique power, allowing audiences to form deep connections with certain stars. Mohanlal asserted that Vijay shares a similar bond with people, describing it as an "unknowable magic."
Mohanlal's Congratulations to Vijay
Following Vijay's electoral triumph, Mohanlal took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to extend his wishes. He wrote, "Congratulations, dear Vijay, on this wonderful victory. The people have chosen you; their trust is a true honour. I am sure you will wear it with pride and purpose as you embark on this new journey of service. My best wishes to you and your team. @TVKVijayHQ." On Sunday, Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
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