Tamil star and chief minister of Tamil Nadu, C Joseph Vijay, visited the Sri Mookambika Devi Temple in Kollur, Karnataka, on Friday. Pictures and videos of the star taking blessings at the temple and later driving himself out as he waved at the large crowd gathered for him have been circulating on social media.
Vijay waves at fans after temple visit
One video shows Vijay dressed traditionally, wearing a red shawl over his shoulders. Reports state that he donated a silver sword to the temple. A massive crowd, held back by police, can be seen waiting for him outside the temple. They get excited as the actor-politician comes out with his team. Another shows a smiling Vijay noticing his fans and folding his hands to greet them, his face lit with a wide smile. It was raining when he visited the temple, but it did not seem to deter his fans.
Fans lined the roads outside the temple, too, to get a glimpse of Vijay. The actor-politician, who ditched security protocol and drove himself out, was greeted by fans who lined the roads. One video shows a young female fan crying and trying to get close to his car, saying ‘please’ even as his security team tries to hold her back. She could also be seen running behind his car, undeterred. When Vijay noticed numerous fans lining the road, he rolled down his window to greet them as he drove by.
Vijay is the third Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to visit the temple, according to PTI. The earlier Tamil Nadu CMs, known to have undertaken similar visits, were the late MG Ramachandran and the late J Jayalalithaa, both of whom were also incidentally actors before joining politics. He made the trip to the temple days ahead of his 52nd birthday on June 22.
Vijay’s foray into politics after stardom
Vijay was at the top of his game when he announced in 2024 that he would foray into politics with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party. Fans who had been waiting to see him in more films were shocked by the announcement. While the actor-politician won the election within two years of launching the party, his political entry has been years in the making.
But after the announcement, Vijay shot one final film, Jana Nayagan, with H Vinoth. While it was supposed to be released in theatres in January, the CBFC delayed certification. It has yet to be certified despite the six-month delay. In April, an HD print of the film was leaked online in its entirety, leading to numerous arrests.
