Anyone can become a mass hero these days.

• Vijay Vijay, a prominent Tamil actor, made a significant political statement at the first rally of his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

• His party’s position is ideologically opposed to “sectarian” forces and the looting of Tamil Nadu by a family.

• Vijay’s speech was well-rehearsed and filled with punch dialogues.

• He emphasized the return of political crowd puller after the passing of leaders like M. Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa.

• Vijay’s party’s commitment to “secular social justice principles” is ambiguous.

• He criticized the difference between “Dravidam” and “Tamil Nationalism,” which followers of both ideologies would strongly reject.

• Vijay has expressed openness to sharing power with allies and remained silent on the AIADMK.

• His political journey began with his father, S.A. Chandrasekhar, who launched him as a child artiste in Vetri (1984) and later as a young hero in Naalaiya Theerpu (1992).