Security has been beefed up outside actor-turned-politician Vijay’s residence in Chennai as early trends in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections suggest a strong performance by his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party.
Visuals doing the rounds on social media show a heavy police presence outside Vijay’s luxury residence in Neelankarai, with uniformed personnel deployed to control crowds and maintain order amid growing excitement among supporters.
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Increased security in the midst of celebrations
The heightened security comes as celebrations at Vijay’s residence appear to have already begun, with supporters and family members reacting to initial cues. In another widely shared video, people close to the actor were seen celebrating as trends pointed to TVK’s strong debut performance.
Read also | Vijay election result 2026 LIVE: Vijay’s magic spell works in election debut
The authorities are taking precautionary measures given the massive surveillance of Vijay’s fans, which often translates into large rallies during significant moments in his career – now spilling over into politics.
TVK is moving forward in the first trends
According to trends released by the Election Commission of India, TVK is leading in more than 100 constituencies and is approaching the majority mark of 118 seats in the 234-member assembly. At the time of writing, the party had a lead of approximately 108 seats.
In comparison, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was leading in 53 constituencies, while the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) was ahead with 54 seats.
While these are early trends and not final results, they point to a significant political shift in a state traditionally dominated by the DMK and AIADMK.
From movie star to political boom
When Vijay launched TVK on 2 February 2024, critics were quick to call it a “fan club experiment” and doubted whether his on-screen popularity would translate into electoral success. His decision to skip the 2024 parliamentary elections and focus only on the 2026 assembly elections was seen as a strategic gamble.
However, early trends suggest that this long-term approach may be paying off.
Skeptics argued that the large crowds seen at Vijay’s rallies in places like Vikravandi and Karur were driven by film fandom rather than political conviction. However, a high turnout of 84.8% on 23 April appeared to challenge this assumption, indicating strong voter engagement.
Bridging star and politics
Observers note that Vijay’s campaign attempted to convert fan enthusiasm into political participation, a transition that was historically rare but not unprecedented in South India. Comparisons are already being made with icons like MG Ramachandran (MGR) and NT Rama Rao, both of whom have successfully transitioned from film to politics.
Through his party’s manifesto, Vijay promised initiatives under the ‘Annapoorani Super Six’ scheme focusing on women’s welfare, youth employment and economic support measures.
Financial disclosures and assets
As part of his election affidavit, Vijay declared the total value of the property ₹404.58 million crowns. Reports suggest that his income for the financial year 2024–25 was Rs ₹184 million. The affidavit also states ₹2 million in cash and approx ₹320 million held in bank accounts.
Details of his family’s finances, including those of his estranged wife Sangeeta Sornalingam, son Jason Sanjay and daughter Divya Saash, were also released.
Prime property in Neelankarai
Vijay’s residence, where heightened security has been reported, is located in Neelankarai – a premium coastal neighborhood along the Bay of Bengal in Chennai. Known for its luxury homes and picturesque views, this area is considered one of the most sought-after residential locations in the city.
Results expected
While celebrations have begun among supporters, officials continue to stress that the final results are yet to be announced. Security measures remain in place to manage crowds and ensure public safety during the census.
