Tamil film was a big show of solidarity and loyalty to the political order after veteran actor-politician Kamal Haasan met Vijay (now Tamil Nadu Chief Minister) to discuss critical matters affecting the state’s entertainment industry.
The event has generated much interest in political and entertainment circles, and not least because Kamal Haasan openly admires Vijay for his leadership style and said he was going behind the newly sworn-in government.
Reporting to X, Kamal Haasan provided information detailing the interaction, stating that he had submitted six vital demands associated with the welfare and development of the Tamil film industry. The Indian film industry is dealing with “several challenges”, and its Tamil Nadu government is better supported, and intervention will be more influential, Kamal said.
While the veteran actor did not share specific information regarding the six demands, he spoke of policies to bolster and safeguard the Tamil cinema industry even when its fortunes are difficult. “I met in person with the Honourable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Brother Vijay, today and expressed my best wishes,” Kamal Haasan wrote on social media.
He also added that Vijay shared a great deal about the dreams he had for the future of Tamil Nadu and other developmental plans in his talk. Kamal Haasan also commended Vijay’s humility, warmth and affectionate nature, admitting the meeting “filled me with pride” and that “[h]e was great to me.”
மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர், தம்பி விஜய் @TVKVijayHQ அவர்களை இன்று நேரில் சந்தித்து வாழ்த்துகளைத் தெரிவித்தேன்.
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) May 16, 2026
தமிழ்நாட்டை மேம்படுத்தும் பல கனவுகளை உற்சாகத்துடன் பகிர்ந்துகொண்டார். சந்திப்பின்போது அவர் காட்டிய பண்பும் அன்பும் நெகிழ்ச்சியளித்தது.
பல்வேறு இடையூறுகளைச்… pic.twitter.com/timwTZeEdY
Vijay had an approachable and sincere nature, which he said would enable the new chief minister to reach out to the people of Tamil Nadu. The exchange once again underscores Kamal Haasan’s deepening support of Vijay’s political journey. Since Vijay became Tamil Nadu Chief Minister earlier this month, Kamal has continuously backed the actor and politician in public.
After Vijay took office on May 10, Kamal Haasan delivered an emotional congratulatory message encouraging Tamil Nadu to “shine under the leadership” of Chief Minister Vijay and reach “new heights” while in his stewardship. Earlier this month, Kamal Haasan had praised Vijay’s government for launching the closure of 717 liquor shops near temples, educational institutions and bus stands as well.
Citing a long-awaited move, Kamal said the Tamil families had known for some time that he would take such action. Vikram said that liquor sales will never be the centrepiece of governance, which the state should instead focus on responsibly regulating and the public interest. He welcomed the initiative as a vital first step and advised the government to replicate such reforms going forward.
Activists at the national level have said Kamal Haasan’s unwavering endorsement could offer further support and weight to Vijay's administration, particularly amongst urban voters and members of the Tamil film fraternity. The two-time encounter with the titanic filmmakers from Tamil Nadu has now raised questions around enhanced cooperation between the entertainment sector and the state government in the years ahead.
Some people from within the film industry expect Vijay’s administration to develop policies to solve the chronic issues from taxation, theatre infrastructure, piracy and film production support. Kamal Haasan, who stood next to Vijay at the beginning of his term, seems to have been granted one of the Tamil film industry's biggest sounding boards as another ally.
