R Sabarinathan, the 30-year-old TVK candidate for Virgumbakkam, shared a deeply emotional moment during the announcement of his candidacy, which went viral across social media. The video, captured at the event on March 29, shows Sabarinathan breaking down in tears as he takes the stage. Actor-turned-politician Vijay, who has been a long-time mentor and supporter of Sabarinathan, comforted him by wiping his tears and giving him a heartfelt hug. The moment was particularly poignant as Sabarinathan is the son of Vijay’s long-time driver-turned-PA, Rajendran, who was visibly moved as he watched his son being supported by the superstar.
The story gained traction not only because of the viral video but also because of Sabarinathan’s background. He admitted that his father, like most Indian fathers, had hoped for him to become an engineer. Rajendran, determined to give his son the best opportunities, took loans and borrowed money to ensure Sabarinathan could pursue an engineering degree. “When I got a job in Qatar in 2021, my father was happier than I was. But, I felt restless,” Sabarinathan recalled. Hearing that Vijay was planning to launch a political outfit, Sabarinathan knew he wanted to return to Chennai and join the journey with him. However, his father was against the idea.
Instead of letting his father’s opposition hold him back, Sabarinathan reached out to Vijay directly, explaining his desire to be part of the new political movement. Vijay, recognizing his passion, spoke to Sabarinathan's father and convinced him to allow his son to return to Chennai and join TVK. “It was Vijay who told my father to let me come back and join the party, and he could not say no,” Sabarinathan said.
Since returning in 2024, Sabarinathan has become an integral part of TVK, taking on the role of district secretary for Virgumbakkam before being chosen as the candidate. Dilip Kumar, a tech strategist and campaign manager for Virgumbakkam, remarked on Sabarinathan’s “aggressive involvement” with the party’s work, noting that Vijay was more than happy to let him take on a larger role. Together, Sabarinathan and Kumar have identified 22 immediate issues in the constituency they hope to address, including improving the operations of local TASMAC shops and working on last-mile connectivity issues related to the metro.
Although running for office has brought its share of pressure, Sabarinathan remains determined. "Becoming an MLA is a big deal. I never thought I’d be running a campaign, but now that I am, I want to give my best," he said. His journey from being the son of a driver to a political candidate with TVK has captured hearts, and he is now focused on making meaningful changes for his community in Virgumbakkam.
