Behind TVK Vijay’s rise is a generation drawn to “cinematic politics” amid a growing crisis of purpose
‘Throughout the election season, a large chunk of TVK followers were repeatedly criticised as “tharkuri,” meaning ‘imbecile’, for their alleged lack of political insight or their inability to articulate why they wanted to vote for Vijay.’ | Photo Credit: The Hindu Throughout the recent election season in Tamil Nadu, there was an unmissable air of restlessness and frenzy among youth voters. Most youth — the largest share of the vote bank that led to actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) winning over 100 seats — seem to have looked at the elections as one that would lead to “a change.” Tamil Nadu, of course, has seen its share of youth revolution in politics. The very Dravidian government that Mr. Vijay defeated was built by a student political movement more than six decades ago. But unlike the 1960s, this new “change” wasn’t built up through protests against an oppressive force; it largely transpired on social media, in the minds of youth, amid a pandemic of political indifference. A narrative of change During the election campaign, …
