Tamil actor Vishal released a statement addressing speculations about entering Tamil Nadu politics by starting his own political party on Wednesday, February 7. The Mark Antony star penned a detailed statement clarifying that he will not be entering politics as rumored and will instead continue his welfare initiatives through his fans and welfare associations. In his statement, Vishal said, "I am forever indebted to the people of Tamil Nadu who have given me a status and an honor as one among them as an actor and social worker for so many years. With the aim of helping as much as I can, from the early days I thought that my fans club should not be considered as an average association, but should benefit the people, and later converted it to a welfare association with the aim 'doing our best for those who don't have' ".

Vishal further explained, "The next step was to create a people's welfare movement for the betterment of the people and work district-wise, block-wise and branch-wise through the 'Devi Foundation' run in the name of my mother. Furthermore, the focus has been to provide education to everyone in the name of the late former President Sir Abdul Kalam and help the poor and needy students every year, including the affected farmers."

Furthermore, Vishal stated, "Apart from that, I have been meeting the people and listening to their basic needs and grievances and fulfilling their demands through my people's welfare movement at the places where I go for shooting. I have done people's work not with the expectation of political gain. To quote Thiruvalluvar "நன்றி மறப்பது நன்றன்று" (It is not good to forget gratitude), I will continue to keep providing the help I can and I consider it my duty."

Vishal concluded his statement writing, "I will continue to do the people's work that I am currently doing through the People's Welfare Movement. In the coming period, if nature makes any other decision, I will not hesitate to raise my voice for the people as one among them." Vishal's clarification has put an end to the buzz surrounding his political entry after leading Tamil actor Vijay, addressed fondly as 'Thalapathy' by his fans and followers, launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party earlier this month.

On the acting front, Vishal is gearing up for the grand release of Rathnam scheduled to open worldwide in cinemas this summer on April 26. The upcoming film coming out in Tamil and Telugu languages directed by filmmaker Hari marks his third-time collaboration with Vishal after their previous blockbusters Thamirabharani (2007) and Poojai (2014), and also stars Priya Bhavani Shankar, Gautham Menon, Samuthirakani, Yogi Babu, among others, with the music composed by National Award winner Devi Sri Prasad. Vishal is also expected to kickstart his Thupparivaalan 2, the sequel to the smash hit Thupparivaalan (2017), directed by Mysskin.