Not just Thalapathy Vijay! His driver’s son also dethrones a DMK MLA. Who is he and how did he push Stalin’s party out?

In what feels like a proper underdog story, R Sabarinathan, the son of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay’s personal driver, has pulled off a cracking victory in Tamil Nadu’s Virugambakkam constituency. And not just a squeaker either, he beat sitting DMK MLA AMV Prabhakara Raja by a hefty 27,086 votes.

From humble roots to headline win

Sabarinathan, whose father Rajendran works closely with Vijay, has suddenly gone from being relatively unknown to one of the most talked-about faces in Tamil Nadu politics. His win is already being seen as symbolic, a mix of grassroots appeal and the wider “Vijay wave” sweeping parts of the state.


Speaking after the result, Sabarinathan didn’t hold back, saying he was “very happy” and boldly claiming it signals “an end to DMK”.

TVK gaining ground across Tamil Nadu

This isn’t a one-off result either. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is making serious inroads, with the party winning over 100 seats in the 234-member assembly. While still shy of the 118 mark needed for a clear majority, the numbers suggest a proper shake-up in Tamil Nadu’s political scene.

There’s already chatter that smaller parties from both major alliances could back Vijay if it comes down to it, which could make things very interesting in the coming days.

Vijay’s blockbuster political debut

Meanwhile, Vijay himself has delivered what many are calling a “blockbuster” debut. Contesting from Perambur, he stormed to victory with a massive margin of over 53,000 votes. He’s also shown strong performance in Tiruchirappalli (East), adding to the buzz.

Supporters are clearly buying into his message, and TVK leaders aren’t shy about their ambitions. Party candidate Sinora Ashok has already said she’s confident Vijay will become the next Chief Minister.

Big blows and bigger shifts

The election has thrown up some genuine shocks too. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin lost his Kolathur stronghold to TVK’s VS Babu by nearly 9,000 votes, a result that’s bound to sting for the DMK.

Congress, part of the DMK-led alliance, managed to pick up just a handful of seats, underlining a broader struggle for the coalition.

A new chapter beyond Dravidian dominance?

What’s really got people talking is the bigger picture. Tamil Nadu politics has long been dominated by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). But this election could mark the first serious break from that pattern since the late 1970s.

Vijay’s rise is also reviving comparisons with iconic actor-turned-leaders like MG Ramachandran, J Jayalalithaa, and NT Rama Rao, all of whom turned screen fame into political clout.

The verdict: not just hype anymore

For ages, there’s been this idea that film stars struggle to convert popularity into votes. Vijay seems to be flipping that script. The scale of support suggests something deeper, a genuine emotional connect with voters.

And with stories like Sabarinathan’s win making headlines, it’s clear this isn’t just about celebrity politics, it’s about a shifting mood on the ground.
Whether TVK forms the government or not, one thing’s certain: Tamil Nadu politics just got a proper shake-up.

Inputs from agencies