“I am an ordinary person, a peace-loving soul,” goes the song from the 2023 film Leo, where the present-day Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay plays a man blending into everyday life — a cafe owner, crumpled shirts, quiet routines. Except, he is anything but ordinary in the film.
Cut to May 10, 2026, and the words “ordinary” and “common” seem to have moved from cinema to reality, echoed through the swearing-in ceremony of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay.
All eyes were on Vijay as he arrived for his historic oath-taking ceremony as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. A moment few had imagined just years ago. As suspense built and people waited in the sun beneath towering cutouts of the actor, Vijay stepped out of his car in a crisp white shirt and black trousers, sending his supporters into a frenzy outside the packed Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.
At first glance, he could have been mistaken for someone attending a job interview rather than his own swearing-in ceremony.
The simplicity of his appearance seemed deliberate, signalling the image of an “ordinary man” even as he assumed the state’s highest office.
As he walked inside the venue to deafening chants of “Vijay, Vijay,” he put on a dark blazer, adding a sharper, more statesman-like touch to his appearance.
“I am not a messenger from God. I am just a normal human being. But when people stand together with me, I believe we can achieve anything,” Vijay said as he took the mantle, while the crowd erupted in cheers.
“I know what poverty and hunger are… I was not born into a royal family. I am amongst you. I was born to an assistant director and went on to achieve success in films,” he added.
Except, this was no film scene but a political turning point in Tamil Nadu, marking a break from decades of Dravidian dominance, where Chief Ministers traditionally wore white shirts and veshtis.
The symbolism was not lost. Journalist Malini Parthasarathy pointed out that Vijay’s attire marked the end of an era and reflected a generational shift in Tamil Nadu politics.
“Generational change reflecting in Chief Minister Vijay’s attire! Interesting to see the dapper actor-turned-political leader in a blazer, unlike his predecessors who wore red-and-black-bordered dhotis! Symbolism of the end of the Dravidian party era couldn’t be more stark than this sartorial change! Clearly, the ascent of Vijay shows Generation Z is a rising force in politics!,” she tweeted.
That Vijay captured the imagination of 1.22 crore Gen Z voters is no secret, as reflected in the high percentage of votes he attracted from the under-29 age group.
A Telugu news site, M9 News, pointed out, “Vijay in a blazer for CM oath looks like a new-gen politician.” The post further added, “Hope he walks the talk.”
The attire signalled a departure from long-standing norms: the dhoti-and-white-kurta tradition in Dravidian politics during official and swearing-in events, or the usual kurta-pyjama paired with a jacket, as seen in several swearing-in ceremonies in Delhi, including those of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Among national leaders, Arvind Kejriwal is one of the first names that comes to mind when one thinks of politicians who broke away from traditional white political attire. Instead, Kejriwal opted for an oversized shirt — symbolic of the “aam aadmi” image — at one swearing-in ceremony, and a shirt paired with a sweater at another.
But for Kejriwal, who was seen as a changemaker when he entered politics, things did not end well last year. Ironically, the AAP leader, who rose on an anti-corruption plank, found himself and several party leaders mired in alleged corruption scandals. The controversy cost him and his party Delhi. His official residence was dubbed “Sheeshmahal” by the BJP, amid allegations of luxury and opulence surrounding the property. The glass house of the “ordinary man” came crashing down on Kejriwal. He was no longer the “aam aadmi” — at least not in the eyes of many — as he once was.
The comparison and symbolism surrounding Vijay and Kejriwal’s attire may be premature for now. Vijay, who made a blockbuster political debut and managed to form the first non-DMK and non-AIADMK government in the state, might yet pass the litmus test and stand by all that he espouses.
While campaigning for the elections, Vijay largely stayed loyal to one look — a white shirt, white trousers, and a red shawl. For the oath-taking ceremony, however, he opted for a white shirt and black trousers — a look that screamed professional and sent the message that he was ready to take on the tough task ahead.
During Vijay’s swearing-in, Tamil Nadu-based doctor Karthik Balachandran wrote, “From childhood, I have seen politics as a game of men with black hearts, wearing white shirts and veshtis. Happy to see Vijay bucking the trend.”
With Vijay now filling the vacuum of the “common man” through his words and attire, can he sustain the image long enough? He just might, if he believes it is not merely an act. Or will he become one of those wearing white shirts with black hearts? Only time will tell.
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