Publish: Saturday, 2 May, 2026, 2:04 PM

The dust has settled on the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, but a new wave of excitement is sweeping the state. South Indian superstar Thalapathy Vijay has emerged as the biggest talking point of the season, with exit polls suggesting a historic debut for his political career.Is the "Thalapathy" charm about to transform into a political landslide? Here is a breakdown of the current scenario:The Rise of TVKVijay contested the elections under the banner of his newly formed party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Going head-to-head with heavyweights like Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Vijay's rallies saw record-breaking crowds, a momentum that now seems to be reflecting in the exit poll data.What the Exit Polls SayAccording to various polling agencies, Vijay’s party is poised to shake the foundations of the traditional two-party system in Tamil Nadu:Agency/SourcePredicted Seats for TVKPossible OutcomeOptimistic Projections98 – 120 SeatsPotential Majority/LeadKamakhya Analytics67 – 81 SeatsPotential 'Kingmaker'Traditional Rivals (DMK)N/ALeading in some polls with 120 – 145 seatsAIADMK AllianceN/APredicted at 60 – 80 seatsThe "Kingmaker" FactorWhile some polls place the DMK alliance ahead, analysts suggest that if the numbers align with Kamakhya Analytics' predictions, no single party may reach the magic number on its own. In such a "hung assembly" scenario, Vijay’s TVK would hold the keys to the government, effectively making him the Kingmaker of Tamil Nadu."The massive 82% voter turnout indicates a strong desire for change or a high level of engagement with new political narratives," say political analysts.Election SnapshotTotal Seats: 234Voting Date: April 23Voter Turnout: Over 82%Main Contenders: M.K. Stalin (DMK) vs. Thalapathy Vijay (TVK) vs. AIADMK AllianceThe state now waits with bated breath for the official results. If the exit polls hold true, the entry of Thalapathy Vijay could mark one of the most significant shifts in South Indian politics in decades.