The countdown to the January release of the Tamil film, (Leader of the People), has ignited a major political flashpoint in Tamil Nadu. The movie, which is explicitly billed as actor Vijay’s final cinematic outing before his full-time entry into politics, is now at the center of a furious debate, with critics demanding its release be banned until after the 2026 Assembly elections.
Opponents allege that the film is not a piece of art, but a carefully constructed propaganda vehicle for Vijay’s political party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), calculated to promote him as the next Chief Minister of the state.
Posters and promotional material for have done little to quell the controversy, instead drawing direct, unmistakable parallels between Vijay and the legendary actor-politician M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). Specifically, the second-look poster featuring Vijay wielding a whip with the iconic MGR song lyric, “Naan Aanaiyittaal” (If I Order), has been widely interpreted as a clear political signal aimed at cementing his image as the natural successor to the legacy of MGR, a former Chief Minister who successfully transitioned from cinema to politics.
The TVK-DMK Political Battleground
The rising political temperature is fueled by the increasingly explicit TVK-DMK political rivalry. TVK leader Vijay has openly declared the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) as his party’s only political enemy (while naming the BJP as the ideological enemy).
This direct political antagonism has led critics to believe that the plot of will be deliberately framed as a veiled attack on the DMK government and its leadership. The film’s release—months ahead of the crucial 2026 Assembly polls—is seen as the TVK’s strategic attempt to use Vijay’s mass cinematic appeal to undermine the DMK’s governance and launch his Chief Ministerial campaign from the theatrical screen itself. DMK leaders have also dismissed Vijay’s political entry, questioning his influence by stating, “When you have the real version, why do you think people go for a copy version?”
Calls for a Ban: Public Safety and Election Stability
The demand for a post-election ban on hinges on fears of public disorder and political instability. Critics argue that the film’s highly polarized, anti-DMK content will incite TVK’s aggressive fan base, potentially leading to planned violence.
- Public Incitement: The film is accused of intentionally stirring up a volatile environment to destabilize the state government before the polls.
- Security Concerns: Opponents cite previous instances of fan-related political disturbances (like the Karur incident, though details are often disputed) and argue that police cannot ensure security at every theater screening, making the release a clear risk to public safety.
To avoid transforming into a symbol of pre-election violence, political opponents are aggressively lobbying the government to defer the release until after the May 2026 Assembly elections, thereby preventing the film from serving its alleged purpose as a CM-promoting political weapon.