From MGR to Vijay: South Indian superstars continue to rule politics

For decades, South Indian cinema has shared a unique and powerful connection with politics. Unlike many other parts of the country, film stars in the South have not just campaigned for political parties but have gone on to become lawmakers, ministers and even chief ministers. From the iconic reigns of MGR and Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu to N.T. Rama Rao’s political revolution in Andhra Pradesh, movie stardom has often translated into massive electoral success. Now, with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam making a stunning impact in the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections, the long-standing relationship between cinema and politics appears stronger than ever. His rise once again highlights how deeply film personalities influence public imagination and political landscapes across South India.

South Indian film stars have long parlayed their screen popularity into political power. Tamil Nadu leads this trend. The state’s biggest movie idol, M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), founded the AIADMK party in the early 1970s and became Chief Minister from 1977 until his death in 1987. His protégé and leading actress J. Jayalalithaa succeeded him, going on to serve an unprecedented six terms as CM. Even MGR’s wife, V. N. Janaki, briefly took over as Tamil Nadu’s chief minister (for about 23 days in 1988) after MGR died.

Other Tamil movie-stars-turned-politicians include Vijayakanth, who started the DMDK party in 2005 and became Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil assembly from 2011–2016. Superstar Kamal Haasan launched his own Makkal Needhi Maiam party in 2018. Actress Khushbu Sundar, once a DMK star, has held offices in both the DMK and Congress before joining the BJP; she is now a BJP national executive member. Actor Sarathkumar started the Samathuva Makkal Katchi party, which he merged into the BJP in 2024. Even the legendary Sivaji Ganesan entered politics: he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1982 and served until 1986. More recent Tamil political figures include Udhayanidhi Stalin (M.K. Stalin’s son), who was appointed Deputy Chief Minister in 2024.

In the May 2026 state elections Tamil Nadu saw a new film star on the rise. Actor Vijay (“Thalapathy” Vijay) founded a party called Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in 2024. Vijay is now poised to become Chief Minister – the latest star to turn politician in Tamil Nadu’s long tradition of actor-led governments.

Across the Telugu-speaking states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, film personalities have similarly made political headway. N.T. Rama Rao (NTR) was a Telugu movie legend who founded the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982; he became Andhra Pradesh’s chief minister three times (in the 1980s and 1990s). Decades later, his family remains political royalty, and other movie stars have emerged. Pawan Kalyan – younger brother of actor Chiranjeevi – started the Jana Sena Party in 2014 and, after the 2024 elections, became a Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Chiranjeevi himself founded the Praja Rajyam Party in 2008 and later merged it into Congress; he even served as a Union Minister (Tourism) in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s cabinet from 2012–2014.

Among actresses, Roja (Roja Selvamani) switched to YSR Congress and won a state assembly seat; she was appointed Andhra Pradesh’s minister of tourism and culture in 2022 (serving until 2024). Veteran actress Vijayashanti – known as the “Lady Superstar” – was a Member of Parliament from Medak (Hyderabad area) on behalf of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, during the Telangana statehood movement.

In Karnataka, too, actors have become lawmakers. The late Ambareesh, nicknamed the “Rebel Star” of Kannada cinema, won the Mandya Lok Sabha seat in 1998 and held it through 2009. He even served as a Union Minister of State (Information & Broadcasting) from 2006 to 2008. Actress Divya Spandana (stage name Ramya) won the Mandya by-election in 2013 as a Congress candidate, becoming the first Kannada film actress to enter Parliament. Ten years later, Sumalatha Ambareesh – wife of the late Ambareesh – contested the same Mandya seat in 2019 as an independent with BJP backing, and she defeated Nikhil Kumaraswamy to win the election. More recently, actor Upendra (a Kannada star known for unconventional films) launched the Uttama Prajaakeeya Party (UPP) in 2018 with a platform of “accountability, responsibility and transparency” in governance.

In Kerala, film stars have also entered politics. Malayalam action hero Suresh Gopi joined the BJP in 2016 and was nominated as a Rajya Sabha member later that year, serving through 2022. Comedian Innocent won the Chalakudy Lok Sabha seat in 2014 as a CPI(M) candidate, serving one term in Parliament. And actor Mukesh is currently an MLA in the Kerala Legislative Assembly for the Kollam constituency (he was elected in 2021). 

These examples show that across the South, from Tamil Nadu and Andhra to Karnataka and Kerala, the fan-following of movie stars often translates into real-world votes. Screen heroes like NTR, MGR, Ambareesh and others have literally gone from cinema to the legislature and even to chief ministership. The near-election of actor Vijay as Tamil Nadu’s next Chief Minister would be the latest chapter in this story, confirming that in India’s southern states, movie stardom remains a powerful stepping stone into politics.