By Mukesh 
The transition from a celebrated cinematic star to the top contender in Tamil Nadu politics was not an overnight phenomenon for actor-turned-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president C. Joseph Vijay.
Rather, it is a result of years of calibrated public outreach that blended cinema-driven popularity with carefully structured social and political interventions. Before officially launching the TVK in February 2024, Mr. Vijay, a top hero in Kollywood, engaged in extensive grassroots outreach and intervention over a span of 15 years.