Actor-turned-politician Vijay has officially announced candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, marking the debut of his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Vijay himself will contest from two constituencies — Perambur and Trichy East — both currently held by the ruling DMK. Addressing supporters, Vijay urged voters to give his party a chance, highlighting the party’s election symbol and calling for equal support to all TVK candidates. He emphasized that h

In a major political development ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) has decided not to contest the polls, citing dissatisfaction over the seat-sharing arrangement with the DMK-led alliance. Despite the disagreement over the number of seats allocated to MNM and the proposal to contest under the DMK’s ‘Rising Sun’ symbol, Haasan’s party has pledged unconditional support to the alliance, leaving an open declaration that they would ba

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has finalized its seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The AIADMK, a key player in the alliance, will contest 178 of the 234 constituencies, while the BJP will contest 27 seats. Other alliance partners include the PMK, which has been allocated 18 seats, and AMMK with 11 seats. AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) expressed confidence that the discussions within the alliance had gone smoothly, confirming the offic

In an important development in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has allotted five seats to its ally, the Communist Party of India (CPI), for the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. This seat allocation comes after several rounds of talks between the two parties, reflecting their continued collaboration and alliance ahead of the crucial polls. The decision was finalized following discussions held at the DMK headquarters, Anna Ari

AIADMK MP C Ve Shanmugam has sparked a major controversy with his misogynistic comment on popular actor Nayanthara while criticizing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s “tell us your dream” initiative, which is part of the government's outreach campaign ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections. The initiative involves volunteers visiting homes to gather feedback and suggestions on governance. Shanmugam, a former minister, took a dig at the scheme during statewide protests orga

Vijay, the celebrated Tamil actor, is making his bold debut into the political

Khushboo Sundar, the actress and politician, has responded to the ongoing rumours regarding Vijay Thalapathy and Trisha Krishnan's alleged affair, following their recent appearance together at a wedding reception. This event occurred shortly after Vijay's wife, Sankgeetha Sornalingam, filed for divorce, fueling media speculations about the relationship between Vijay and Trisha. Khushboo shared her opinion on the matter, stating that it is ultimately a personal issue for Vijay and Tr

Actor turned politician Thalapathy Vijay has once again become the center of political discussions after announcing several welfare schemes during a recent gathering of women cadres of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in Mahabalipuram. His speech focused on women’s welfare and included a series of promises that he said would be implemented if his party comes to power in Tamil Nadu. However, the scale of these announcements has sparked a debate in political circles and among the public about their p

Vijay, the actor-turned-politician and leader of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has unveiled his party's election manifesto ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. In his speech delivered in Thanjavur on March 4, 2026, Vijay made bold promises, including free higher education for children of small and marginal farmers, with a focus on families owning less than two acres of land. The announcement is designed to alleviate the financial burden of rising education costs for economically vulnerable farming households. Vijay's party aims to ensure that no member of these families is employed in a government job to be eligible for the benefit, highlighting his focus on empowering rural populations. He also pledged to take strong actions against corruption, positioning TVK as a clean and transparent alternative in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. With these commitments, Vijay seeks to contrast TVK's vision with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which he has heavily criticized, calling it an "evil force" and accusing it of misleading the people on key issues like the NEET examination. The announcement came at a critical juncture, with Tamil Nadu's 2026 Assembly elections approaching. Thanjavur, historically significant and a stronghold for the DMK, saw Vijay passionately declare that the upcoming elections are a personal and emotional turning point. Drawing inspiration from regional pride, he linked TVK's election symbol, the "whistle," to the popular "whistle podu" slogan of the Chennai Super Kings IPL team, reinforcing his vision for Tamil Nadu's autonomy. As the election season heats up, Vijay urged voters to rally behind TVK, framing the political battle as a fight for Tamil pride and a brighter future.

In a significant political development ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, O Panneerselvam, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and a long-time leader of AIADMK, has joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). This move marks the culmination of a bitter rivalry within AIADMK and is set to reshape Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. Panneerselvam’s shift to the ruling DMK could weaken AIADMK’s influence, especially in the southern regions, by splitting the Thevar vote base

On the birth anniversary of the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, V K Sasikala, once a prominent leader in the AIADMK, officially launched her new political party and unveiled its flag. The flag, designed with the images of iconic leaders C N Annadurai, M G Ramachandran (MGR), and Jayalalithaa, marks a significant step in her attempt to reclaim political relevance in Tamil Nadu. The new party, which Sasikala promises will follow in the footsteps of these Dravidian leaders, is positioned as

The deadlock over seat-sharing negotiations between Congress and the DMK in Tamil Nadu has continued, with the Congress formally requesting 45 Assembly seats for the 2026 polls. This demand, conveyed during a meeting between Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, senior leader TS Singh Deo, and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, is based on an internal review of the Congress’s performance in the 2021 Assembly elections. According to Congress, the request stems from a strategic analysis

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, expressed confidence that the DMK would form the government on its own after the upcoming 2026 elections. Despite buzz surrounding a potential rift between the DMK and Congress, Stalin reassured that the alliance between the two parties remained strong, with the DMK and Congress contesting the election together. He emphasized that the question of power-sharing would not arise at this stage, as the DMK was confident of making "even greater inroads" than in

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in the United States has announced that it will return three historic bronze sculptures to India after concluding that the works were illegally removed from temple sites in Tamil Nadu. The decision follows an extensive provenance review of the museum’s South Asian collection and marks a significant step in addressing the long-standing issue of illicit trafficking of cultural heritage. The most prominent of the sculptures slated for return is a bronze depiction of Shiva Nataraja, dating to around A.D. 990. Created during the Chola period, the sculpture represents the Hindu deity Shiva in his cosmic dance, symbolizing the cycle of creation and destruction. The figure shows Shiva dancing upon a demon that embodies ignorance, encircled by a ring of fire and standing on a lotus base. Art historians regard this form as one of the most visually powerful and symbolically rich representations in Indian art, revered both within India and among global audiences. Alongside the Shiva Nataraja, the museum will repatriate a Somaskanda sculpture from the 12th century, also from the Chola period. This bronze depicts Shiva seated with his consort Parvathy and their son Skanda, reflecting devotional traditions that were central to temple worship in medieval South India. The third work to be returned is a 16th-century bronze titled Saint Sundarar With Paravai, dating to the Vijayanagar period, which portrays the revered Shaivite saint with his companion. The museum stated that the return of these works reflects its commitment to ethical museum practices and responsible stewardship. A comprehensive review was initiated to determine whether any objects in the collection had been unlawfully acquired. During this process, researchers uncovered evidence that raised serious concerns about the origins of the three bronzes. The Shiva Nataraja entered the museum’s collection in 2002 through a New York art gallery. Subsequent investigation revealed inconsistencies in the documentation associated with the acquisition, including the inability to verify the gallery’s listed address. Researchers later established that the sculpture appeared in photographs taken at a Tamil Nadu temple during the 1950s, confirming that it had been removed from its original religious setting. Further inquiry connected the gallery to a network involved in the trafficking of stolen antiquities. Court records have shown that individuals associated with this network engaged in smuggling cultural objects from South Asia and falsifying provenance records to introduce them into the international art market. In recent years, other institutions have also returned comparable works linked to the same sources. The Somaskanda and Saint Sundarar With Paravai sculptures were donated to the museum in 1987 as part of a major private collection. Their provenance came under scrutiny after a tip prompted researchers to consult archival material held by the French Institute of Pondicherry. Photographs from the 1950s in the institute’s archives showed both sculptures installed in temples in Tamil Nadu, providing clear evidence that they had been stolen and exported illegally. Experts note that bronze sculptures from South Indian temples have been frequent targets of theft due to their artistic value and global demand. Replicas have circulated widely in tourist markets, while original works disappeared from sacred sites, often leaving communities without objects of worship that had been central to their cultural and religious identity for centuries. The Smithsonian’s decision is being viewed as part of a broader international movement toward repatriation and accountability in the museum sector. By returning these sculptures, the institution acknowledges the importance of restoring cultural heritage to its place of origin and reinforces growing global standards for transparency and ethical collecting practices.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu during a massive NDA rally ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. At the rally, Modi accused the DMK of running a “CMC government,” which he described as an acronym for “Corruption, Mafia, and Crime,” claiming that these three elements have been flourishing under their rule. He asserted that the people of Tamil Nadu are ready for change and emphasized that the NDA, under BJP leadership, i

With the Tamil Nadu elections drawing nearer, the political landscape is heating up, and one of the most anticipated moments for fans and political observers alike has finally arrived. Thalapathy Vijay, the popular actor and political leader, has officially received his party's electoral symbol for the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections. The central election commission has confirmed that Vijay’s TVK party will be using the iconic whistle symbol in the polls. The whistle symbol carries

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi triggered a major political controversy on Tuesday after walking out of the state Assembly session, refusing to deliver the speech prepared by the MK Stalin-led DMK government. His sudden exit, captured on video, showed him leaving the premises and departing in his official car, drawing immediate attention across political and public circles. Soon after, the Raj Bhavan released a detailed 13-point explanation accusing the state government of disrespecting the natio

JioHotstar created a landmark moment in the South Indian entertainment industry by announcing a massive investment of ₹4,000 crore to strengthen regional content, talent development and digital storytelling over the next five years. The announcement was made on December 9, 2025 at the JioHotstar South Unbound grand event held in Chennai. Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Kamal Haasan, Mohanlal, Nagarjuna, Vijay Sethupathi and several South film industry giants attended th

The Thiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar Temple, one of India’s most revered Shiva temples, stands at the foothills of the sacred Arunachala Hill in Tamil Nadu. Known as the temple of fire (Agni) among the five Panch Bhoota Sthalams, it holds deep spiritual significance. Devotees believe that Lord Shiva manifested here as an infinite column of light, symbolizing supreme truth and divine power. Rich in history, the temple has been shaped by the Chola, Pallava, Hoysala, Pandya, and Vijayanagara dynas

In the run-up to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the Congress has begun seeking a greater share of seats from its ally, the DMK, while simultaneously warming up to actor Vijay’s Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). According to sources, senior Congress leaders in Tamil Nadu have been trying to convince the party high command in Delhi to explore an understanding with Vijay, leveraging his growing popularity not only in Tamil Nadu but also in Kerala and Puducherry. The DMK, which