Actor-turned-politician Vijay has won a decisive victory in the Tamil Nadu elections, defeating pre-poll expectations that placed him third. The outcome was driven by a massive turnout of young voters and an aggressive, social media-based campaign that bypassed traditional political machinery.

Vijay's support base, though comprising only about one-fifth of the electorate, leveraged high 5G penetration and digital platforms to mobilize support rapidly, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. R. Kannan, biographer of former Tamil Nadu chief ministers C.N. Annadurai and M.G. Ramachandran, attributed the win to a broader anti-establishment wave that resonated beyond youth, drawing in voters opposed to the long-standing dominance of the DMK and family-centric political control.

The result marks a significant shift in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, challenging the dominance of established parties. Election officials confirmed vote counts, and the formal swearing-in is expected within the week.