Tamil actor Vijay Joseph is arguably at the peak of his cinematic career. Aged 50 years old, the superstar is one of India’s highest-paid actors, starring in multiple films that are amongst the biggest grossing of all time and raking in millions of dollars every single year. That is what makes his decision to leave Kollywood behind and enter the murky world of Indian politics even more interesting. His attempt to blend Dravidian politics and Tamil nationalism has brought fans as well as critics. But it is his bold pledge to support a referendum for Eelam Tamils and demand Tamil Nadu have a greater say on foreign policy towards Sri Lanka that has caught the most attention. After decades of lacklustre support for Eelam Tamils, the entertainer-turned-politician may be setting the stage for a much-needed revival of solidarity.
Tamil actor Vijay Joseph is arguably at the peak of his cinematic career. Aged 50 years old, the superstar is one of India’s highest-paid actors, starring in multiple films that are amongst the biggest grossing of all time and raking in millions of dollars every single year. That is what makes his decision to leave Kollywood behind and enter the murky world of Indian politics even more interesting. His attempt to blend Dravidian politics and Tamil nationalism has brought fans as well as critics. But it is his bold pledge to support a referendum for Eelam Tamils and demand Tamil Nadu have a greater say on foreign policy towards Sri Lanka that has caught the most attention. After decades of lacklustre support for Eelam Tamils, the entertainer-turned-politician may be setting the stage for a much-needed revival of solidarity.
In the aftermath of the Mullivaikkal genocide, Tamil Nadu’s political leadership has had a complex and often contradictory relationship with Eelam Tamils and their self-determination struggle. Although public outrage swept across the state during the massacres, with protests and hunger strikes led by student groups and civil society organizations, the political response remained largely symbolic. Leaders like M. Karunanidhi of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) made emotional appeals, including a dramatic fasting stunt that lasted just a few hours, but ultimately aligned with New Delhi’s diplomatic stance, which shored up support for Colombo’s military offensive. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), under the leadership of J. Jayalalithaa, often issued strong statements condemning Sri Lanka’s human rights abuses but failed to turn that rhetoric into sustained action that influenced national foreign policy. Whilst the masses continued to express sympathy for the Eelam cause, Tamil Nadu's political elite fell short.
Despite deep cultural and linguistic ties, the state’s response to Sri Lanka’s persecution of Eelam Tamils has been inconsistent, oscillating between vocal support during election seasons and muted indifference when it comes to pushing the Indian central government to take concrete action. In 2013, for example, as photographs of the LTTE leader’s 12-year-old son Balachandran Prabhakaran being fed a snack and then executed by Sri Lankan soldiers swept the airwaves, protests erupted across Tamil Nadu. In response, the Tamil Nadu assembly passed a staunch resolution, calling for the imposition of sanctions on Sri Lanka, an international investigation into the genocide and an independence referendum for Eelam Tamils. Sri Lankan cricketers were even banned from playing in the state.
Yet, as protests died down, so did any hope of tangible political action. New Delhi squarely rejected the assembly’s resolution and soon, it became business as normal with Colombo. Sri Lankan cricketers, including those that are part of the maligned armed forces, are now welcome once more in Tamil Nadu. And even the issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen being arrested, assaulted, or even killed by the Sri Lanka security forces, which has plagued the Indian state for decades, has resumed. Just last month, more were detained by the Sri Lankan state, with little more than letters and empty statements being sent by the current Chief Minister M K Stalin, who previously was a bold supporter of Eelam Tamils. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Eelam Tamil remain trapped in camps, stuck as refugees in a place that once had a deep solidarity with their plight.
This recurring pattern has cultivated a sense of frustration among Eelam Tamils and Tamil Nadu’s younger, more politically engaged generations. Both in Chennai and in New Delhi, the apparent prioritisation of friendly relations with Sri Lanka has overlooked the very real concerns regarding the long-term stability of ties across the Palk Strait. How will a state that mercilessly massacred tens of thousands of ethnic Tamils, and has never been held accountable for it, ever hold good relations with more than 70 million Tamils just a few miles away? How will a government that continues to arbitrarily arrest and beat Tamil fishermen ever bring stability to the Indian Ocean? How will one of the most militarised places in the world that continues to occupy, intimidate and harass Tamils ever be a friendly place of trade and commerce? As India looks to expand its presence on the island, these questions continue to arise. Yet Tamil Nadu’s political elite seem more interested in appeasing New Delhi, than pressuring it to answer these questions or take any actions to solve them.
Enter Vijay Joseph and his newly formed party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). His emergence onto the political scene is significant, and it is not just because of the superstar status he carries. By championing not only a referendum for Eelam Tamils but also advocating for Tamil Nadu to have a greater say in foreign policy decisions, he is tapping into a growing demand for Tamil Nadu’s political autonomy. The state is undoubtedly the powerhouse of the Indian economy, the second biggest contributor to GDP and still growing. Yet, for too long, Tamil Nadu’s power has been undermined in critical foreign policy matters concerning the Tamil diaspora and the island's Eelam Tamil population. Vijay’s platform could reignite conversations about how the state can more effectively support Eelam Tamils.
Yet, Vijay's political journey will not be without obstacles. His celebrity status might generate initial momentum, but translating fandom into sustainable political support requires navigating complex party dynamics and the entrenched interests of Tamil Nadu’s established political heavyweights. Other Kollywood actors-turned-politicians, such as Kamal Haasan, are reminders of how quickly bright sparks can fizzle out. Critics argue that Vijay will need to present a more comprehensive and consistent political vision beyond headline-grabbing pledges. Politicians such as Seeman, a staunch Tamil nationalist, have for example already pointed out his contradictory stance in trying to marry both Tamil and Dravidian nationalism.
He will also have to counter scepticism from those who remember past disappointments from both politicians and from Kollywood. For far too long, the Tamil Nadu entertainment industry has been happy to use the Tamil Eelam liberation struggle to tug on the heartstrings of a sympathetic domestic population and on the pockets of the global Eelam Tamil diaspora. Symbolic references to the LTTE’s heroic struggle for independence, Prabhakaran’s leadership and the ambivalence of Indian politicians to the genocide that took place just a few miles away, frequently litter movies and TV shows. But little has been done to tangibly push the political class to address those issues. Vijay too spoke little of how his party would tangibly bring forth a referendum, champion the rights of Eelam Tamils or ensure accountability for the genocide. He will have to prove that his pledges are more than just the fleeting enthusiasm of a newly minted politician.
The question remains: Can Vijay, with his immense influence and popularity, finally move Tamil Nadu’s political class from superficial expressions of solidarity to substantive action for Eelam Tamils? Vijay's political foray could indeed be a breath of fresh air—or yet another missed opportunity—depending on how steadfast he remains in his advocacy and how effectively he mobilises his base for meaningful change. Even if he doesn’t succeed at the polls himself, his renewed conversation around the topic may push others along the political spectrum and mark the beginning of a new era where Tamil Nadu becomes a more assertive and impactful advocate for Tamil rights and justice on the international stage. The work lies in the months and years ahead.
