Latest news with #TamilagaVettriKazhagam
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Keep your mind democratic, TVK leader Vijay gives school toppers NEET advice
CHENNAI: Showing the youth a neat path to their future, actor-turned Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay urged them to keep their mind democratic. 'Only with democracy can every field flourish. If democracy functions properly, everyone can access opportunities equally,' the actor said while encouraging the students to vote wisely. 'Elect those who are clean, not those who've been tainted by corruption. Don't support the culture of buying votes,' he said. Referring to the 2026 Assembly election, Vijay said, 'Next year, you will see them (politicians) coming in droves to lure you. But you know what's right.' Honouring a group of students from 88 constituencies across 16 districts in TN and Puducherry who excelled in class 10 and 12 board examinations with certificates and cash prizes at Mamallapuram, Vijay also touched upon the contentious issue of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). 'Yes, academics do matter. There's no need to overstress about one thing over and over,' he said. Cautioning against the narrow focus on NEET, Vijay asked, 'Is NEET the whole world? The world is much bigger than NEET.' The actor also appealed to parents not to pressurise their wards (on NEET), and instead allow them the freedom to pursue their interests.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
TVK chief Vijay urges voters to back honest, corruption-free candidates, reject cash-for-vote offers
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Friday (May 30, 2025) alleged that large sums of money — misappropriated from the public — would be spent during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, and urged voters to exercise their democratic duty by voting for honest, trustworthy, and corruption-free candidates, while rejecting cash-for-vote offers. Speaking at an event held in Poonjeri near Mahabalipuram to felicitate students who excelled in Classes 10 and 12 exams, Mr. Vijay said, 'Though academic achievement is important, don't let it overwhelm you with stress and anxiety. The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) is not the end of the world. There is a vast world beyond it, full of opportunities. You have so much more to achieve in life.' He urged the students to keep their minds strong and embrace democratic values. 'Only democracy can bring and sustain freedom worldwide and ensure everything for everyone. Encourage your family members to exercise their democratic duty by choosing honest, trustworthy, and corruption-free candidates, while rejecting cash-for-vote offers.' Urging students to adopt technical and scientific thinking, Mr. Vijay said, 'Keep caste and religious divisions away from you, like how you would keep away from drugs.' He also strongly condemned the reference to Periyar's [E.V. Ramasamy's] caste in a question in the recent Civil Services Preliminary Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Meet star with 8 consecutive ₹200-cr hits, beat Shah Rukh, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Prabhas; but retired at his peak
It wasn't so long ago that the 100-crore club was established in Indian cinema as a benchmark of box office success. But pretty soon, as ticket prices soared and Indian films found markets outside their core base, the ₹100-crore mark became too low, and ₹200 crore began to be seen as the minimum requirement for success. In the last decade, as most films try to breach that mark, there has been only one actor who has done that, film after film, without fail. And yet, despite this unbroken, unconquered streak, he is set to bid adieu to films. Tamil superstar Vijay, known to his fans as Thalapathy (commander), has been a force at the box office for almost 20 years now. But over the last 10 odd years, he has consistently left contemporaries and even seniors behind. In 2017, he starred in Atlee's Mersal - his first ₹200 crore hit. This was the start of a streak that has continued since. In this time, all of Vijay's films - Sarkar, Bigil, Master, Beast, Varisu, Leo, and The Greatest of All Time - have grossed over ₹200 crore. With Leo, he broke new ground as the film grossed ₹605 crore, leaving Rajinikanth's Jailer behind. GOAT, his last film, was said to be 'slightly underwhelming' and yet it earned over ₹400 crore worldwide, a staggering number. A post shared by Vijay (@actorvijay) No Indian actor has been able to achieve this unique feat of eight consecutive ₹200-crore grossers, not even consistent 'hitters' like Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. Both these actors topped at 6 consecutive ₹200-crore hits during the mid-2010s. Shah Rukh Khan currently has 3 consecutive ₹200-crore hits and can extend that streak, but is far behind Vijay's number. Even Rajinikanth fell short every once in a while with box office bombs. On 2 February 2024, Vijay announced the launch of his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and stated that he would be retiring from films soon. His final film, Jana Nayagan, was announced later that year. Directed by H Vinoth, the film also stars Pooja Hegde and Bobby Deol. It is slated to release on January 9, 2026. After its release, Vijay will enter politics, bidding adieu to films at the age of 51.
Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Ivanka Trump's bodyguard slams man to ground; video goes viral: WATCH
A startling video that has taken social media by storm shows a tense encounter involving Ivanka Trump's bodyguard. Captured originally on TikTok and now widely shared on X, the footage shows Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner leaving an event, walking hand-in-hand towards their vehicle. As they move through the crowd, a man in a black T-shirt casually begins walking alongside them. Within seconds, one of Ivanka's bodyguards, who had been following closely, lunges forward and forcefully shoves the man away. Surprised, the man reacts by pushing the bodyguard back, triggering a quick but intense physical altercation. The bodyguard then shoves the man again, this time with enough force to knock him to the ground. The surrounding crowd, visibly stunned by the unexpected scuffle, can be heard gasping. Ivanka and Jared momentarily pause, turning back to see what happened, while the bodyguard quickly escorts them to their vehicle and helps them inside. Watch the video: Ivanka Trump's bodyguard shoves man strolling near the President's daughter. In the video, which has gone viral on TikTok, the bodyguard can be seen pushing the man out of the way, before the man appeared to call him out for pushing him. — Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 5, 2025 Story continues below this ad The video has exploded online with over 14 million views, igniting a debate. Some viewers applauded the bodyguard's quick response, arguing that he did exactly what he was supposed to, in a potentially risky situation. A user wrote, 'The bodyguard is doing his job and doing it well. I don't know whether the Kushner's have a secret service outfit or if Jared has an Israeli security team employed for his family's protection – but anyone thinking they can get that close in today's day and age, deserves a clip.' Another user commented, 'A body guard acted like a body guard. we are ALL shocked! I've seen bouncers at nightclubs do worse…get too close, you get touched and told to back up. this guy challenged that and found out.' However, not everyone saw it that way. Critics felt the reaction was overly aggressive and unnecessary, with one commenter writing, 'Just another 'security guard' who wanted to be a cop but couldn't pass the test that would demonstrate he wouldn't murder a motorist in cold blood in front of witnesses for failing to signal a turn.' Some users also recalled a similar incident that happened in India just days ago. At the Madurai airport in Tamil Nadu, chaos briefly broke out when a fan tried to approach popular actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief 'Thalapathy' Vijay. In a tense moment, one of Vijay's bodyguards reportedly drew a firearm and pointed it at the elderly fan before others intervened and pulled him away.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Jaat director Gopichand Malineni says Vijay left his project as he was ‘pressured' to pick Tamil director for last film
Telugu director Gopichand Malineni recently debuted in Bollywood with the Sunny Deol-starrer Jaat. But he revealed in a Telugu One interview that before that, he was supposed to do a Kollywood film with actor Vijay instead. He also claims that despite liking his script, Vijay was 'pressured' to pick a Tamil director for his final project. (Also Read: Vijay's security pulls out a gun as fan tries to get close to actor at airport; internet calls it 'scary'. Watch) Vijay will contest in the Tamil Nadu elections, and the H Vinoth-directed Jana Nayagan is touted to be his last film. Gopichand was asked if it's true that he approached Chiranjeevi for a film after Veera Simha Reddy's (2023) success and that it didn't pan out. The director instead revealed that he approached Vijay, stating, 'Immediately after Veera Simha Reddy, I wrote a story and narrated it to Vijay. He liked it so much that he approved it in one sitting.' However, Gopichand claims that because he had already done Varisu (2023) with a Telugu director, Vamshi Paidipally, he was 'pressured' to pick a Tamil filmmaker. 'He was ready to announce it. But because this would become his last film before entering politics, his people pressured him to opt for a Tamil director rather than a Telugu one. He had already done Varisu with a Telugu director, so they did not want him to work with a Telugu director again so soon.' He said that after Vijay backed out of the film, the director wanted to cast Ravi Teja for the role, but that hasn't panned out yet either. Vijay's upcoming film Jana Nayagan After the 2024 film The Greatest of All Time by Venkat Prabhu, all eyes were on Vijay's final project after he announced his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). His final film, Jana Nayagan, stars Vijay, Pooja Hegde and Bobby Deol in the lead roles, alongside Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Narain, Priyamani, Mamitha Baiju, Monisha Blessy and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar. It is slated for release on January 9, 2026.
