PUTRAJAYA May 12, 2026 — Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended warm congratulations to actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay (popularly known as Thalapathy Vijay) following his election as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Anwar referred to Vijay as “my friend” and drew a playful parallel between the superstar’s cinematic roles and his new political responsibilities.
“For many years, his adoring fans watched him defeat corrupt politicians and assorted villains within three hours, usually after a short interval,” Anwar wrote. “The people of Tamil Nadu have now entrusted Vijay with a responsibility far greater than any role performed on screen.”
The Malaysian leader also hailed Vijay’s signature “Oru Viral Puratchi” — or “one-finger revolution” — campaign, saying it “is now on the cusp of creating history.” The campaign, which leveraged Vijay’s massive fan base, played a key role in mobilising voters and contributed to the strong debut performance of his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in the April 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Anwar highlighted the longstanding bonds between the two regions, noting: “Malaysia and Tamil Nadu share deep historical, cultural and people-to-people ties across generations. I look forward to working closely with Chief Minister Vijay in the years ahead.”
Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister earlier this week after TVK secured a commanding victory, ending nearly six decades of dominance by traditional Dravidian parties in the southern Indian state. The 51-year-old former actor’s entry into politics has generated huge excitement among Tamil communities worldwide, including the large Tamil diaspora in Malaysia.
The message from Anwar — accompanied by an AFP photograph of the new Chief Minister — has been widely welcomed by fans and the Malaysian Indian community, many of whom have deep familial and cultural connections to Tamil Nadu.
Analysts say the congratulations signal Malaysia’s interest in strengthening bilateral ties with the new Tamil Nadu government, particularly in trade, education, cultural exchange and people-to-people links.
This is among the first major international reactions to Vijay’s historic ascent to power.
About The Author
