In Tamil Nadu, cinema and politics have always shared a strong connection. Former Chief Ministers M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa used their film careers to build mass appeal before entering politics In Tamil Nadu, cinema and politics have always shared a strong connection. Former Chief Ministers M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa used their film careers to build mass appeal before entering...
In Tamil Nadu, cinema and politics have always shared a strong connection.
Former Chief Ministers M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa used their film careers to build mass appeal before entering politics.
Actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay has followed a similar path to reach the Chief Minister’s chair. However, his approach to appointments appears to be different from that of MGR and Jayalalithaa.
Both MGR and Jayalalithaa largely depended on bureaucrats and trusted political associates for key administrative positions and maintained some distance between government appointments and film industry circles.
Vijay, however, appears to be bringing more people from the cinema industry and his close circle into important government positions.
Recently, AGS Entertainment CEO Archana Kalpathi, who produced Vijay films such as Bigil and The Greatest of All Time (GOAT), was appointed as a member of the state-level Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments temple trustee selection committee.
Popular playback singer Velmurugan, who sang for Vijay’s political campaign and his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, was also appointed to the HR&CE temple trustee selection panel.
K Venkata Narayana, producer of Jana Nayagan, was appointed as the Tamil Nadu government’s Special Representative in New Delhi.
Vijay’s long-time manager and close aide Jagadish Palanisamy was appointed as Private Secretary (Political) to the Chief Minister.
Cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa was also appointed as chairman of the MGR Government Film and Television Training Institute.
Now, fresh buzz suggests that Vijay may be considering a government position for his long-time bodyguard, Moosa, who has reportedly been with him since the early days of his film career.
If the speculation is true, it would once again strengthen the impression that Vijay is relying heavily on people from his personal and film industry circle while building his political and administrative team.
For now, however, there is no official confirmation about any government post for Moosa, and the talk remains only political buzz.
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