Speculation over actor Dhanush’s possible entry into Tamil Nadu politics has triggered reactions across party lines, with leaders of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Congress, DMK and AIADMK offering sharply different assessments of the developments surrounding his fan organisation.
The speculation intensified after Dhanush’s fan association was renamed Dhanush Narpani Iyakkam, or Dhanush Welfare Movement, and the actor met around 3,000 members and office-bearers of its women’s wing at a private college near Chennai on Sunday. Dhanush has not announced plans to enter politics.
TVK leaders questioned whether the actor could emerge as a political challenger to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjuna alleged that political entrants were being backed by leadership in Delhi, framing the developments as part of a wider attempt to influence Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
TVK leader N Marie Wilson also argued that Dhanush could not be considered a genuine competitor to Vijay, maintaining that the chief minister’s political movement had been built through years of organisational work.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B Manickam Tagore alleged that the BJP and RSS were seeking to introduce another film personality into state politics. Calling the alleged strategy “Operation D” and “Plan C”, he claimed the BJP was trying to expand its political influence through a popular actor. These remain Tagore’s allegations, and no evidence establishing such a coordinated plan has been made public.
The DMK offered a different response. Senior leader and former minister S Regupathy said that anyone had the right to enter politics in a democracy, asking why Dhanush should be treated differently from Vijay.
AIADMK leader K T Rajendra Balaji invited Dhanush to join his party under general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. He cited the actor’s popularity among young people and his film roles dealing with the lives of underprivileged communities.
The competing responses reflect the political significance attached to celebrity-led mobilisation in Tamil Nadu. However, Dhanush has not yet declared a political position, announced a party, or outlined an electoral programme.