Actor-politician Vijay, head of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and one of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars, stumbled and fell at Chennai Airport on Sunday night as he returned from Malaysia following the audio launch of his final film, Jana Nayagan. The incident occurred as a large crowd of fans surged around him on his way to his car, officials and eyewitnesses said.
Crowd Surge Leads to Fall
The veteran actor, who recently wrapped up the Jana Nayagan audio launch at Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Jalil Stadium, tripped while walking through a crowd of supporters and well-wishers waiting to greet him upon his arrival. His security team and airport personnel quickly came to his aid and helped him into his vehicle, ensuring he was not injured. Some television visuals also showed one of the cars from Vijay’s convoy involved in a minor mishap on the airport grounds, though authorities have not commented officially on that.
Malaysia Event Draws Massive Fanfare
Days earlier, Vijay drew an enormous crowd at the Bukit Jalil Stadium event in Malaysia, where the audio launch of Jana Nayagan was held with what organisers said was nearly one lakh fans in attendance, earning the gathering entry into the Malaysia Book of Records for its size.
The occasion, dubbed Thalapathy Thiruvizha, featured live music, performances, and emotional moments for those gathered. One particularly heartfelt highlight was a surprise performance by Vijay’s mother, Shobha, whose appearance on stage moved fans.
A Moment of Farewell
At the audio launch, Vijay used his speech to announce that he was stepping away from cinema “to stand up for” his supporters, referring to the vast fan base that has supported his career over the decades. He said that the success he achieved felt like fans had built a “fort” (Tamil kottai) around him, prompting his decision to give up his film career and focus on serving them, an indirect response to all rumors about moving into full-time politics.
The event, attended by prominent cast and crew members from the Jana Nayagan team, was held amid strict security and certain restrictions imposed by Malaysian authorities, including limitations on political content in the program. Despite this, Vijay’s message resonated emotionally with fans both in Malaysia and online.
Fans and Fandom
The event made both fans emotional; while music directors, co-stars, and creative talent praised Vijay’s work, the presence of tens of thousands of fans underscored the actor’s enduring popularity, particularly within Malaysia’s large Tamil diaspora community.
After the program, Vijay flew back to India amid cheers from supporters, but the enthusiastic reception at Chennai Airport and the resulting crowd surge ultimately led to the minor incident in which he lost his footing.
Jana Nayagan brought a huge anticipation among Vijay’s fanbase, as it is scheduled for a Pongal 2026 release on January 9, and the actor’s transition from cinema to politics continues to be a major talking point among fans and commentators alike.