Tamil actor-director Samuthirakani addressed the media during his visit to his hometown Seithur at Virudhunagar district, on Sunday, March 24, where he opened up about leading star Vijay's political entry. Speaking to reporters, the National Award-winning actor-filmmaker stated that he found Vijay's move to enter Tamil Nadu politics as bold. Samuthirakani, who has directed films Naadodigal (2009) and Appa (2016) most notably, addressed Vijay's political entry by saying, "Anybody can do anything they want. This is a sea. You can act if you want to act. You can offer your services if you want to. Vijay sir's decision surprised me a lot. He's earning 200 crores for a film and has decided he will not act going forward. He's said that he will serve the people and I liked that a lot."
Samuthirakani, who is best known among Tamil cinema fans for his roles in films Subramaniapuram (2008), Velaiyilla Pattathari (2014), Visaranai (2016), Vada Chennai (2018), and Don (2022), to name a notable few, further said, "I have crossed many people and nobody has taken such a decision. Many actors have said they will enter politics. They have come and gone, but have done so by holding on to cinema. I liked his bold decision. Only based on his activities next, we will know where he's going. I will pray to the Almighty for his dream to come true." This latest statement from Samuthirakani has come after several leading names in Tamil cinema conveyed their wishes to Vijay on his big move to enter state politics among whom also included 'Superstar' Rajinikanth and 'Ulaganayagan' Kamal Haasan.
Vijay, fondly addressed by his fans and followers as 'Thalapathy', announced the launch of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam on February 2 and informed in his statement that the political party will not be contesting in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, but will instead make its electoral debut in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Currently filming The Greatest of All Time under Venkat Prabhu's direction, the leading Tamil actor had also announced that he will complete one more film before he bids farewell to acting and Tamil cinema.
