Cinema, populism, and the making of political authority: Tamil Nadu state election 2026

Mohamed Fouz, Mohamed Zacky (2026) Cinema, populism, and the making of political authority: Tamil Nadu state election 2026. Policy Spotlight, 1 (1). pp. 1-9.

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Abstract

In the 2026 Tamil Nadu election, actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay led Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) to become the largest party with 108 seats. Though short of a majority, he formed a coalition government and became Chief Minister, marking a major disruption of the long-standing DMK–AIADMK political dominance. • Vijay’s rise in the 2026 Tamil Nadu election reflects the continued influence of cinema in politics. TVK’s victory ended the exclusive dominance of DMK and AIADMK since 1967. His success was driven by mass popularity, youth support, and fan networks, reinforcing cinema’s role in shaping political leadership. • Vijay’s victory reflects the rise of personality-driven populism in Tamil Nadu, emphasising anti-corruption, good governance, and welfare over ideological positioning. Regionally, it aligns with South Asia’s broader anti-incumbency trends and an emerging youth-led political realignment.

Item Type:	Article (Bulletin)
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Political Science
Depositing User:	Dr. Zacky Fouz
Date Deposited:	02 Oct 2026 16:33
Last Update:	02 Oct 2026 16:33
Queue Number:	2026-09-Q5390
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/131532
Indexed In:	UNSPECIFIED

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