‘I gave up cinema to stand up for my fans’: Actor Vijay

Actor-politician Vijay’s “Thalapathy Thiruvizha” in Malaysia was far more than a standard movie promotional event; it felt like a monumental farewell, marking the end of one era and the loud, unmistakable beginning of another. 

Standing before a sea of nearly a lakh fans at Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Jalil Stadium — an audience so massive it landed the event in the Malaysian Book of Records — the actor-turned-politician made his intentions crystal clear. He told the crowd he is walking away from the silver screen to focus entirely on the people who built his “fort.”

The choice of the word “Kottai” (fort) was no accident. In the state of Tamil Nadu, it is the ultimate symbol of political power, representing Fort St. George, where the state’s leadership resides. Vijay told the roaring crowd that while he started his career thinking he was just building a small sand house in the world of cinema, his fans turned it into a palace and eventually a bastion. “For the fans who gave up everything for me, I’m giving up cinema itself,” he declared, framing his retirement as a reciprocal sacrifice for his supporters.

Even with a strict “no-politics” directive from the Malaysian police, Vijay dropped a heavy hint about his 2026 political ambitions. He spoke about the necessity of having a “strong enemy” to truly succeed and grow stronger, concluding with a prophetic, “In 2026, history will repeat.” It was a clear signal that his political engine is ready to go full throttle once his cinematic commitments are fulfilled.

The night was packed with both high-octane energy and raw emotion. Anirudh Ravichander delivered an electric 45-minute tribute medley, while industry veterans like Nasser were visibly moved. In a particularly touching moment, Nasser quoted Vijay’s own famous Pokkiri dialogue about not changing one’s mind once it’s made up, but then pleaded with the star to make an exception and reconsider his retirement. He called Vijay “critic-proof” and irreplaceable for the industry. Co-star Pooja Hegde and hit-making directors Atlee, Nelson, and Lokesh Kanagaraj also shared the stage, witnessing what is being billed as Thalapathy’s final cinematic outing.

Jana Nayagan is set for a massive worldwide release on January 9, 2026, just in time for Pongal. It’s shaping up to be a high-stakes box office battle, clashing with Prabhas’ The Raja Saab and Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi.

Source: NAI
--Agencies