Thalapathy Vijay Sworn In as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
JPhilips 
Actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay officially takes oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, marking a historic shift in the state’s political landscape.(AI Generated)
Thalapathy Vijay Sworn In as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
Thalapathy Vijay was sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Sunday morning, May 10, 2026. The actor-turned-politician took the oath at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in front of thousands of cheering supporters, family members, and political allies. At 51, the man known across India as “Thalapathy” stepped into the state’s top job after his newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party built a working majority in the 234-seat Assembly.
The swearing-in ceremony began shortly after 10 a.m. IST. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay and nine ministers from his party. Vijay, dressed in a sharp black blazer and pants instead of the usual traditional veshti, began with his signature line: “C Joseph Vijay ennum naan.” The stadium erupted in whistles and applause the moment the words left his mouth.
How Thalapathy Vijay Built a Coalition to Become Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
TVK emerged as the single largest party in the April 23, 2026, Assembly elections, winning 108 seats. That left the party 10 seats short of the 118 needed for a simple majority. Over five tense days, Vijay met the governor four times and secured support from several smaller parties and the Congress.
The final tally gave the new government backing from 120 legislators: TVK’s 108 seats plus two seats each from the Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and Indian Union Muslim League, along with Congress’s five seats. On Saturday night the governor formally invited Vijay to form the government. By Sunday morning the oath was complete, and the new Chief Minister was directed to prove his majority on the Assembly floor by May 13.
This Thalapathy Vijay swearing-in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister ends the long-standing duopoly of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which had alternated power for decades. Analysts called the result a clear rejection of the old guard and a victory for a younger, fan-driven political wave.
மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் திரு. ச. ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்கள் தலைமையில் இன்று (10.5.2026) தலைமைச் செயலகத்தில், தமிழ்நாட்டின் சட்டம் ஒழுங்கு நிலை குறித்த ஆய்வுக் கூட்டம் நடைபெற்றது. #CMJosephVijay pic.twitter.com/zUNhPlrFme
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) May 10, 2026
Star-Studded Ceremony and Emotional Moments
The event felt more like a film premiere than a political function. Vijay’s parents, S.A. Chandrasekhar and Shoba, sat in the front row. Rumored girlfriend and actress Trisha Krishnan attended in a traditional sea-blue silk saree with jasmine flowers in her hair, seated beside Vijay’s mother and cousins. Vijay’s wife Sangeetha and their children Jason and Divya were not present.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi flew in from Delhi and stood on stage during the ceremony. Film personalities and industrialists filled the stands. Supporters outside the stadium burst crackers, danced in the streets, and handed out sweets across Tamil Nadu. Videos circulating on social media showed fans waving TVK flags and chanting “Thalapathy” late into the night.
Tamil Nadu has chosen.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 10, 2026
A new generation. A new voice. A new imagination.
My good wishes to Thiru Vijay - may he fulfil the hopes of the people of Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/sp8FsMLBOb
தமிழ்நாட்டு முதலமைச்சராக பொறுப்பேற்கவிருக்கும்
— pa.ranjith (@beemji) May 10, 2026
தமிழக வெற்றிக்கழகத்தின் தலைவர் திருமிகு. ஜோசப் விஜய் @TVKVijayHQ அவர்களுக்கு மனம் நிறைந்த வாழ்த்துகள்.
மக்கள் நல அரசினை வழிநடத்துவீர்கள் என்று நம்புகிறேன்.
மக்கள் தீர்ப்பிற்கு மதிப்பளித்து தமிழக வெற்றிக்கழக அரசிற்கு ஆதரவு…
Celebrities Congratulate Thalapathy Vijay
Messages poured in from across the Indian film industry the moment the oath was done.
Filmmaker Pa Ranjith posted on X: “Heartfelt congratulations to the leader of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, Thiru. Joseph Vijay @TVKVijayHQ, who is set to assume the role of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. I am confident that you will lead a people-welfare government.”
Kamal Haasan wrote: “May the state of Tamil Nadu shine under the leadership of the president of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, my brother Thiru. Vijay @TVKVijayHQ. May it reach new heights. I convey my heartfelt congratulations.”
தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சராக பதவியேற்றுள்ள திரு சி. ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்களுக்கு வாழ்த்துகள். அவரது பதவிக்காலம் சிறப்பானதாக அமைய நல்வாழ்த்துகள். மக்களின் வாழ்க்கையை மேம்படுத்த மத்திய அரசு தமிழ்நாடு அரசுடன் இணைந்து தொடர்ந்து பணியாற்றும்.@TVKVijayHQ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 10, 2026
Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan, Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, wished the new government success. R Madhavan shared a photo with the caption “God bless you and sooooo proud of you.” Prakash Raj posted: “Wishing you the best to succeed in your new responsibility. May the state thrive in your governance too.” Actress Pooja Hegde added a fun Instagram story: “Woahhhh. @actorvijay or as it should now say Chief Minister Vijay sir.”
These congratulations highlight how deeply Thalapathy Vijay remains connected to the Tamil film world even as he takes on the full-time role of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
From Blockbuster Actor to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
Vijay has appeared in 69 films and is one of India’s highest-paid stars. Known to fans simply as Thalapathy, he retired from cinema after his final movie Jana Nayagan. In February 2024 he launched TVK, arguing that his fan club alone could not deliver the social and economic changes he wanted. He campaigned on fighting corruption and ending divisive politics based on caste and religion.
His journey echoes that of earlier Tamil cinema icons M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa, both of whom successfully moved from the screen to the Chief Minister’s chair. Vijay’s appeal among youth and women proved decisive in the election, pulling in roughly 1.7 crore votes for TVK out of 4.9 crore cast statewide.
What Thalapathy Vijay Has Promised as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
In his first public remarks after taking office, the new Chief Minister outlined early priorities. He spoke of providing free electricity, launching a dedicated women’s safety helpline, and cracking down on drugs. These promises resonated with voters tired of long power cuts and rising safety concerns in urban and rural areas alike.
The coalition government will now have to balance these popular pledges with the practical challenges of running a state of 72 million people. Observers note that the alliance is broad but untested, and the May 13 confidence vote will be the first real test of its stability.
Why This Thalapathy Vijay Swearing-In Matters Beyond Tamil Nadu
For India, the story of a major film star becoming Chief Minister in one of the country’s most populous and economically important states draws global attention. Tamil Nadu’s film industry has long shaped its politics, but Vijay’s rapid success with a party just two years old marks a new chapter.
Young voters in particular see Vijay as proof that fresh faces can break into the system. At the same time, political veterans question whether a celebrity-driven party can deliver steady governance once the initial excitement fades.
The swearing-in also sends a signal to other southern states where cinema and politics have overlapped for generations. Leaders in neighboring regions are watching closely to see how a film-star Chief Minister handles day-to-day administration, coalition management, and the expectations of a passionate fan base now turned into an electorate.
What Happens Next for the New Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
Vijay and his nine ministers must now focus on proving their majority in the Assembly by May 13. After that, the real work of government begins: forming departments, appointing key officials, and starting to deliver on campaign promises.
The coming weeks will test whether the coalition holds together and whether the new Chief Minister can translate star power into effective policy. For millions of fans who helped put him in power, the question is simple: can Thalapathy Vijay deliver the same kind of blockbuster success in politics that he delivered on screen for three decades?
Early signs point to high public enthusiasm. Streets across Tamil Nadu remain festive. Social media is flooded with messages of support mixed with calls for quick action on jobs, education, and safety.
The Thalapathy Vijay swearing-in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister is more than a political ceremony. It is a cultural moment that has captured the imagination of an entire state and drawn eyes from across India and beyond.
