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The question remains: will he repeat Vijay’s success or vanish like other wannabes?
There are also interpretations on who might be Dhanush’s backers. There are clear murmurs of a possible link to the BJP-RSS strategy to carve out newer political constituencies in Tamil Nadu, weaning the electorate further away from the DMK-AIADMK bipolarity. File pic/PTI
In Tamil Nadu, cinema has doubled up as the political launchpad for movie stars. Not all, but a chosen few. In the late 1950s and 60s, MG Ramachandran drew on the Dravidian movement to propel himself into politics, converting star-struck fandom into a political kingdom that repeatedly displayed loyalty as his electorate. In his wake emerged several wannabes, but few succeeded. C Joseph Vijay, who became Chief Minister after launching the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in February 2024, has turned out to be the latest example of cinema translating into electoral power.
Into this charged atmosphere steps Dhanush.
In films, he had a trajectory that started with derision and ended with admiration. A lean, boy-next-door schoolboy discovering the tender brushes of romance in Thulluvatho Ilamai, Dhanush delivered back-to-back hits in his initial years that made him bankable, despite persistent body shaming. Dispelling the negativity aside, Dhanush found his niche with Director Vetrimaaran, with whom Polladhavan, Aadukalam, Vada Chennai, and Asuran established him as an actor who portrayed the caste-ridden, vulnerable subaltern lives.
Now, a mature actor who recently became a filmmaker as well, he is dipping his toes in waters recently muddied by a large star. His recent activities have shed some light on his method and plan of action. A flag bearing his smiling visage is increasingly visible on social media. His fan association, previously known as the Dhanush Narpani Mandram, has been reorganised as the Dhanush Narpani Iyakkam. Their activities include blood donation camps and community outreach. It is speculated that the organisation may plan free tuition centres for Class 10 and 12 students.
The most telling scene was his meeting with women members of the movement at a private college in Semmenchery, Chennai. Dressed simply in a white shirt and veshti, he posed for photographs with hundreds of attendees and distributed silver lamps. The gathering, held despite rain, demonstrated the organisation’s willingness to mobilise supporters. However, the ability to draw huge crowds is still unclear. Whether that translates into political trust remains an open question. Social media amplified the event, extending its reach well beyond those present.
There are also interpretations on who might be Dhanush’s backers. There are clear murmurs of a possible link to the BJP-RSS strategy to carve out newer political constituencies in Tamil Nadu, weaning the electorate further away from the DMK-AIADMK bipolarity. If Vijay’s success disproved the theory that the celluloid-to-Secretariat bridge no longer exists, Dhanush’s emergence poses a serious question. For over 60 years, the DMK, and subsequently the AIADMK, have shaped the state’s political imagination, with arts and cinema playing a significant role in the rise of leaders. With former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai also set to throw his hat into the ring, the arena would have less and less space for the incumbents, including leaders such as MK Stalin, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Edappadi Palaniswami and many more.
At A Glance
Tamil Nadu cinema has historically served as a political launchpad for prominent movie stars.
C Joseph Vijay launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in February 2024 and became Chief Minister.
Actor Dhanush has reorganised his fan association into the Dhanush Narpani Iyakkam to conduct community outreach.
For over 60 years, the DMK and AIADMK have shaped Tamil Nadu political imagination through arts and cinema.
Elections have also become a function of social media management. Narratives woven by dexterous Gen Zs in air-conditioned war rooms wreak havoc at far-flung polling booths. The DMK was the OG in this space, but TVK’s “virtual warriors” appear to be a new and improved version: nimble, merciless, and armed with elephantine memory.
Dhanush’s rise, along with his band of virtual warriors, will muddy the waters further. But the question remains: will he repeat Vijay’s success or vanish like the other wannabes? Only time will tell.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Actor Dhanush has reorganized his fan association into the Dhanush Narpani Iyakkam, introducing a new flag and conducting community outreach like blood donation camps and free tuition plans. He also held a notable meeting with thousands of women members in Semmenchery, Chennai, distributing silver lamps and sparking widespread political speculation.
Ask News18About the Author
Poornima Murali, Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, has reported for over a decade on civic and political issues in Tamil Nadu. She has been helming the Chennai bureau for the channel for yea…Read More
October 29, 2026, 22:09 IST
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