Thalapathy Vijay Casts Vote in Chennai After Delay Due to Dubai Floods

Thalapathy Vijay, the popular Tamil actor and founder of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam political party, cast his vote at the Neelangarai polling booth in Chennai on Friday, April 19, 2024. Vijay's arrival at the polling station was delayed due to floods at the Dubai airport during his return journey from Russia, where he was shooting for his latest film 'GOAT' (The Greatest of All Time).

A large number of Vijay's fans had gathered at the polling booth to catch a glimpse of the actor, requiring the police to make way for him to reach the booth. Vijay, who was dressed in a white shirt, had a small injury on his hand, which was reportedly sustained during an action sequence involving a bike chase while filming in Russia.

This was the first general election held after Vijay had launched his political party in February 2024. Despite his party not being part of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Vijay exercised his democratic right to vote. The state of Tamil Nadu recorded an estimated 72.09% voter turnout for the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies.

Apart from Vijay, other Tamil actors like Chiyaan Vikram, Karthi, and Suriya also arrived at their respective polling booths to cast their votes. Vijay has stated that he will complete one more film before entering politics full-time, and his super-hit film 'Ghilli' is set to be re-released on April 20.

Why this matters: The participation of popular celebrities like Thalapathy Vijay in the democratic process can influence and encourage voter turnout, especially among the youth. Vijay's transition from cinema to politics also reflects a growing trend of actors entering the political arena in Tamil Nadu.

In February, Vijay had announced his political entry by launching the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party, pledging to bring about significant political reforms characterized by transparency, equality, and an end to corruption. "Politics is not merely a career choice but a strong commitment to serving the people," Vijay said, emphasizing his long-standing preparation for this transition and his deep-rooted desire to engage fully in politics.

Key Takeaways

• Thalapathy Vijay, Tamil actor, cast vote in Chennai despite flight delay from Russia.
• Vijay's political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam not part of ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
• Other Tamil actors like Vikram, Karthi, and Suriya also voted in their constituencies.
• Vijay to complete one more film before entering politics full-time, 'Ghilli' to be re-released.
• Vijay's political entry reflects a growing trend of actors entering politics in Tamil Nadu.