'Thalapathy 69' actor, Vijay confirmed his departure from the film industry in a rally on October 27, 2024. The actor-turned-politician made his presence known in the political world with a bang!
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, known as Vijay, had a career spanning three decades in the Tamil film industry. He is known as one of the most commercially successful actors with multiple films among the highest-grossing list in the Tamil entertainment fraternity. Yet the actor gave all that up to pursue a career in politics.
Vijay in his first TVK (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam) political party event addressed his exit from the Tamil film industry. The actor was rumoured to be filming his final projects before departing from the film industry. During the rally, he confirmed he would be leaving his film career behind and focusing on his political career. Addressing the topic Vijay said:
"I have thrown away the peak of my career and I have thrown away the salary..I’m here as your VIJAY with a trust on you all."
In September 2024, Vijay was reported to be the highest-paid actor in India. There are numerous reports including ETimes, that the actor charged Rs 275 crore for his much-anticipated film, Thalapathy 69.
Click here to watch Vijay's speech.
Vijay recalled how he was criticised for his looks, personality, and other attributes when he first entered the Tamil film industry. He shared how he was shamed for being himself, how he worked hard and proved everyone wrong. The Tamil superstar added:
"At the beginning of my cinema career, I was told that my face is not good, I am not a great personality, my style is not good, even my hair and my walk were not good. They shamed me like this."
Vijay shared how, even despite the criticism he never allowed himself to get discouraged. Instead, he used those comments as fuel to fire his ambitions of becoming a film star. He added that is what he is focused on doing again, he will take all the criticism that is coming his way and turn it into something beautiful.
In the political rally in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, the G.O.A.T. star also addressed his plans as a politician, the actor said that his primary ideological rivals are those who are harming the country with their alienating politics. The actor said:
"Those spoiling the country with divisive politics are my party’s primary ideological enemy."
Vijay has been a crucial part of the industry for over thirty years with sixty-eight films to his name, he is one of the most followed Tamil celebrities. The actor started as a child actor in films like Vetri, Kudumbam, Vasantha Raagam and Sattam Oru Vilayaattu. The 1992 action drama, Naalaiya Theerpu was his first film as the lead.
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Picture Credit: @actorvijay