M.G. Ramachandran photographed on March 15, 1984 | Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives The spectacular rise of former AIADMK general secretary and Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), who was essentially embedded with the Dravidian movement even as an actor, to the top job in the State after splitting from the DMK, has fed – and continues to feed – the fantasy of several popular actors in Tamil Nadu. Actors with huge fan followings, such as Sivaji Ganesan, Kamal Haasan, and Vijayakant, as well as popular stars like K. Bhagyaraj, Karthik, and Ramarajan, have tried their luck in elections with limited success. Now, ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls, actor C. Joseph Vijay – arguably Tamil cinema’s biggest star today – has launched the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), hoping to replicate MGR’s historic success in 1977. Published – April 22, 2026 06:00 am IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation Kerala fireworks accident: Decision on Thrissur Pooram after Cabinet meet, says Devaswom Minister Mangaluru: Vehicles and houses damaged in thunderstorm, gusty wind