Drama ends: Vijay to be sworn in as Tamil Nadu CM on Sunday

After days of political drama, repeated meetings at Lok Bhavan, and uncertainty over government formation, actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay is finally set to take oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday morning.

The prolonged suspense ended after Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar officially invited Vijay to form the government under Article 164 of the Constitution of India. The swearing-in ceremony will be held as a public event on Sunday morning.

Vijay becomes the second major male superstar from the Tamil film industry to rise to the post of Chief Minister after M. G. Ramachandran. Tamil Nadu politics has historically shared deep ties with cinema, with leaders like C. N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi, J. Jayalalithaa, and M. K. Stalin all having close associations with the film industry.

He also creates history as one of the fastest actors to become Chief Minister after launching a political party. The record, however, continues to belong to N. T. Rama Rao, who became Chief Minister within nine months of founding his party.

Born in 1974, Vijay made his debut as a lead actor with Naalaiya Theerpu in 1992 and went on to emerge as one of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars. Some of his blockbuster films include Ghilli, Pokkiri, Thuppakki, Kaththi, Mersal, Master, and Leo.

His final film before entering active politics, Jana Nayagan, is currently awaiting theatrical release.