Mohanlal has shared his thoughts on the rise of C. Joseph Vijay as both a film star and a political leader, comparing his influence to that of the late M.G. Ramachandran (MGR). He noted that, much like MGR, the characters Vijay plays on screen have come to mean more to ordinary people than simple entertainment.
Mohanlal drew a line between a star’s personal life and his public stardom, describing the latter, in Vijay’s case, as having reached a “massive and magical” level. “It’s something that can’t really be explained,” he said, acknowledging the scale of the TVK leader’s following. Coming from a veteran of his standing, the remarks added weight to the idea of Vijay moving from screen idol to public servant.
The MGR comparison
By invoking MGR, Mohanlal pointed to the long “cinema-to-politics” lineage in Tamil Nadu’s history. MGR built a political base partly on roles that cast him as a protector of the poor, and observers have drawn parallels with how Vijay’s films often centre on the common man. Mohanlal and Vijay previously shared the screen in the hit Jilla, and their mutual regard has long interested fans.
The comments came during Vijay’s first week as Chief Minister, a period in which attention around him — from film launches to policy decisions — has been high. Mohanlal’s words also served as a small bridge between the Malayalam and Tamil industries, recognising a kind of stardom that travels across state lines.
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