June 22, 2026
UAE extends grace period for Advertiser Permit: What every influencer, content creator needs to know about the digital law?

UAE extends grace period for Advertiser Permit: What every influencer, content creator needs to know about the digital law?

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

UAE Media Council announced application deadline for Advertiser Permit, a mandatory requirement for digital content creation. Image: AI Representative Image. The UAE Media Council has extended the deadline for content creators and advertisers to obtain the mandatory Advertiser Permit until January 31, 2026. This permit, initially required from October 30, 2025, is crucial for anyone…

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May 11, 2026, 16:35 IST

May 11, 2026, 16:35 IST

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Vinesh Phogat (ANI photo) Vinesh Phogat has responded strongly to the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) show-cause notice, insisting that she is fully eligible to return to competitive wrestling and rejecting several of the federation’s claims regarding timelines and rule violations. Vinesh Phogat statement In her detailed statement, Vinesh confirmed receipt of the notice dated…

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Flying back to the US after winter break? Documents students must carry to avoid secondary inspection

Flying back to the US after winter break? Documents students must carry to avoid secondary inspection

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Avoid Secondary Inspection: Essential Documents for International Students Re-Entering the US. (AI generated image) International students returning to the United States following winter break must ensure they carry proper documentation to avoid delays at customs. US Customs and Border Protection officers conduct inspections at all ports of entry, and missing even a single document can…

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NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday released a list of nine candidates for the upcoming Puducherry Legislative elections, which it is contesting in alliance with All India NR Congress. The Central Election Committee of the BJP met on March 18 to decide on candidates in poll-bound states.According to the list, A Namassivayam will contest from Mannadipet, while E Theeppainthan will contest from Oussoudu (SC). PML Kalyanasundaram will contest from Kalapet, VP Ramalingame from Raj Bhavan and A Johnkumar from Mudaliarpet.Embalam R Selvam will contest from Manavely, GNS Rajasekaran from Thirunallar and A Dineshan from Mahe.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Israel pounds Tehran as Iranians mark Nowruz; UAE, Kuwait defences respond to missile barrageOver 20 nations issue joint statement condemning Iran’s de facto closure of Hormuz StraitMissiles Fired Toward Diego Garcia: Iran tests long-range weapons; US rushes Marines and warshipsThe Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday announced the completion of the first randomisation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) for the upcoming 2026 assembly elections scheduled to be in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry.Once the final list of contesting candidates is prepared, the comprehensive records of both the first and second randomised EVMs and VVPATs will be shared with all candidates to ensure complete transparency in the electoral process, the release said.Additionally, the EC has also concluded the randomisation process for the upcoming bye-elections in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura. These states are scheduled to go to the polls on April 9, with the final lists for both EVMs and VVPATs now randomised in preparation for the voting. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Claims Are Baseless” Says Former Envoy Sanjay Verma On Trudeau’s AllegationsRahul Gandhi Warns Of Inflation Wave Amid Rupee Fall, Slams Modi Govt Over StrategyVillage Playgrounds To Mega Stadiums: Yogi Adityanath Outlines UP Sports VisionIndia Weighs Return To Iranian Crude As US Grants Short Waiver During Oil Supply DisruptionTamil Nadu Elections 2026: Chidambaram Targets AIADMK-BJP Alliance, EPS’s Delhi Visits Trigger RowINS Taragiri To Commission by April 2026, Fourth Project 17A Stealth Frigate to Join In 11 MonthsINS Taragiri To Commission by April 2026, Fourth Project 17A Stealth Frigate to Join In 11 MonthsHandmade Rumani Semiya & Sheer Kurma | Ramzan Tradition from ChennaiHAL Reports Tejas Mk-1A, Prachand, Dhruv Orders Worth ₹2.22 Lakh Crore To Parliamentary CommitteePM Modi Discusses West Asia Crisis, Secure Shipping Routes With Iran President123Photostories7 traditional Indian drinks that are reasonably good source of protein6 mistakes people make while kneading atta and why the rotis don’t turn out right8 things that make you a typical Delhiite8 ways to rewire your brain and enter a higher dimension5 crucial marriage lessons to learn from Justin Bieber and HaileyWhy your body twitches, tingles, or has mini spasms: Hidden causes and proven ways to calm your nervous system7 mistakes that make dal lose its protein valueFrom Kotpad Tussar to Ghicha Silk: Kangana Ranaut serves ultimate saree goals14 scientific facts you probably didn’t know10 oldest dishes that have survived for centuries123Hot PicksIran newsGautam SinghaniaStrait of HormuzGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingIga SwiatekAir India Boeing 77760% free seat ruleQatar LNG ExportsMojtaba KhameneiJames GraceySpring EquinoxDiesel price hike8th Pay CommissionPremium Petrol Price Hike

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday released a list of nine candidates for the upcoming Puducherry Legislative elections, which it is contesting in alliance with All India NR Congress. The Central Election Committee of the BJP met on March 18 to decide on candidates in poll-bound states.According to the list, A Namassivayam will contest from Mannadipet, while E Theeppainthan will contest from Oussoudu (SC). PML Kalyanasundaram will contest from Kalapet, VP Ramalingame from Raj Bhavan and A Johnkumar from Mudaliarpet.Embalam R Selvam will contest from Manavely, GNS Rajasekaran from Thirunallar and A Dineshan from Mahe.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Israel pounds Tehran as Iranians mark Nowruz; UAE, Kuwait defences respond to missile barrageOver 20 nations issue joint statement condemning Iran’s de facto closure of Hormuz StraitMissiles Fired Toward Diego Garcia: Iran tests long-range weapons; US rushes Marines and warshipsThe Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday announced the completion of the first randomisation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) for the upcoming 2026 assembly elections scheduled to be in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry.Once the final list of contesting candidates is prepared, the comprehensive records of both the first and second randomised EVMs and VVPATs will be shared with all candidates to ensure complete transparency in the electoral process, the release said.Additionally, the EC has also concluded the randomisation process for the upcoming bye-elections in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura. These states are scheduled to go to the polls on April 9, with the final lists for both EVMs and VVPATs now randomised in preparation for the voting. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Claims Are Baseless” Says Former Envoy Sanjay Verma On Trudeau’s AllegationsRahul Gandhi Warns Of Inflation Wave Amid Rupee Fall, Slams Modi Govt Over StrategyVillage Playgrounds To Mega Stadiums: Yogi Adityanath Outlines UP Sports VisionIndia Weighs Return To Iranian Crude As US Grants Short Waiver During Oil Supply DisruptionTamil Nadu Elections 2026: Chidambaram Targets AIADMK-BJP Alliance, EPS’s Delhi Visits Trigger RowINS Taragiri To Commission by April 2026, Fourth Project 17A Stealth Frigate to Join In 11 MonthsINS Taragiri To Commission by April 2026, Fourth Project 17A Stealth Frigate to Join In 11 MonthsHandmade Rumani Semiya & Sheer Kurma | Ramzan Tradition from ChennaiHAL Reports Tejas Mk-1A, Prachand, Dhruv Orders Worth ₹2.22 Lakh Crore To Parliamentary CommitteePM Modi Discusses West Asia Crisis, Secure Shipping Routes With Iran President123Photostories7 traditional Indian drinks that are reasonably good source of protein6 mistakes people make while kneading atta and why the rotis don’t turn out right8 things that make you a typical Delhiite8 ways to rewire your brain and enter a higher dimension5 crucial marriage lessons to learn from Justin Bieber and HaileyWhy your body twitches, tingles, or has mini spasms: Hidden causes and proven ways to calm your nervous system7 mistakes that make dal lose its protein valueFrom Kotpad Tussar to Ghicha Silk: Kangana Ranaut serves ultimate saree goals14 scientific facts you probably didn’t know10 oldest dishes that have survived for centuries123Hot PicksIran newsGautam SinghaniaStrait of HormuzGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingIga SwiatekAir India Boeing 77760% free seat ruleQatar LNG ExportsMojtaba KhameneiJames GraceySpring EquinoxDiesel price hike8th Pay CommissionPremium Petrol Price Hike

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday released a list of nine candidates for the upcoming Puducherry Legislative elections, which it is contesting in alliance with All India NR Congress. The Central Election Committee of the BJP met on March 18 to decide on candidates in poll-bound states.According to the list, A Namassivayam will…

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Feb 23, 2026, 08:17 IST

Feb 23, 2026, 08:17 IST

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

David Miller and Washington Sundar (Getty) India’s T20 World Cup title defence suffered a significant setback after a crushing 76-run defeat to South Africa in a high-stakes Super 8 clash. The night had begun brightly for the hosts, who reduced the Proteas to 20/3 with a sharp new-ball burst. But what followed was a complete…

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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated a Rs 3,300 crore semiconductor plant by Kaynes Technology at Sanand GIDC in Ahmedabad, marking the second such facility in the country taking forward semiconductor manufacturing plans.The plant is part of the semiconductor mission and is expected to strengthen domestic chip production capacity. Speaking at the event PM Modi asserted India’s broader ambitions in the sector, saying the country is positioning itself as a reliable player in the global semiconductor supply chain. He added that India is not just witnessing global changes but is preparing to lead them, and pointed to the launch of Semiconductor Mission 2 in the latest budget to boost self-reliance across production sectors, according to PTI. “India of 21st century not merely witness to change, but is moving forward with resolve to lead that change. We launched Semiconductor Mission 2 in last budget to make India self-reliant in every sector of its production,” PM said. The Prime Minister also said India’s decision to join the Pax Silica initiative would help strengthen access to critical minerals essential for semiconductor manufacturing, according to PTI.According to Gujarat science and technology minister Arjun Modhwadia, the facility will manufacture over 7 lakh chips per day. Speaking ahead of the launch on Monday, he said, “In the semiconductor manufacturing chain, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will tomorrow inaugurate a Rs 3,300 crore Kaynes Semicon plant in Sanand. This will be the second plant in the series, and the facility will manufacture more than 7 lakh chips per day.”He added, “With this second unit, we are entering the era of this futuristic industry. The USP of the Prime Minister has been his ability to turn challenges into opportunities,” he told ANI.The inauguration comes weeks after PM Modi launched the Micron semiconductor plant in February. Referring to the pace of that project, he said, “The MoU for this facility was signed in June 2023, the foundation stone was laid in September, and by February 2026, commercial production had already begun. Even in developed countries, such approvals and processes take years, but India has completed this seemingly impossible task in just 900 days. When intentions are clear, and dedication is towards rapid national development, policies become decisive, and decisions gain momentum naturally,” reported ANI. Earlier in the day, Modi also inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. Named after Samrat Samprati, the grandson of Ashoka, the museum focuses on the historical and cultural legacy of Jainism.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’I Want To See India A Super Power By…’: Ex-Tennis Star Leander Paes Joins BJP Before Bengal PollsFrom Naxal Charge To Owaisi Praise: Shah’s Top 7 Shock MomentsUS Strike At Mashhad Airport Hits India-Bound Mahar Air Flight, Iran Calls It Violation Of LawStampede Horror At Nalanda’s Sheetla Temple Amid Big Rush, Multiple Casualties Feared In BiharWhen Art Crosses The Line: Pink Elephant’s Death After Russian Artist’s Viral Photoshoot Sparks Row’Best Of Luck’: Ex-RAW Chief Vikram Sood Warns Of War’s Impact As India Walks Diplomatic Tightrope10 India-Bound Ships Stuck In Persian Gulf Trigger Major Energy Concerns’Sonia, Rahul’s Communist Advisors’: Kangana Ranaut Launches Attack On Congress, Lauds PM ModiAmit Shah Flags Russia-China Influence During CPI, CPI(M) Formation; Slams Bhagat Singh ComparisonCensus Goes Fully Digital: How India Will Count Its Population With Apps, Data And Self-Entry123PhotostoriesScenes of panic: How sudden rush triggered stampede at Bihar temple; 8 dead10 essential soft skills you’re never taught — But need to succeed in lifeSummer Diet: How to make desi Watermelon Rice that impressed Chef Marco Pierre WhiteSummer Holidays: 6 Places every parent should take their kidsIndia’s rarest state birds – places you can still see themWhy your body is no longer responding to exercise: Hidden causes of exercise slump and how to break through them effectivelyForget summer coolers & energy drinks: 6 desi foods farmers eat and drink to survive extreme heat in the fieldFrom a massive living room to an expensive art collection, jacuzzi and more: Krishna Shroff’s opulent Mumbai houseHow to know if someone likes you (especially virtually): 5 subtle signs you can’t miss7 structural marvels of India that define architectural excellence123Hot PicksIncome Tax Changes from April 1stPost office small savings schemesNASA Artemis IIAmazon treeIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Match TodayRajasthan Board 12th Science ResultVaibhav SooryavanshiKarnataka 1st PUC ResultsUS Iran WarKolkata Assembly ElectionBihar Temple NewsRavindra JadejaPakistan terror groupsBank Holiday this week

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated a Rs 3,300 crore semiconductor plant by Kaynes Technology at Sanand GIDC in Ahmedabad, marking the second such facility in the country taking forward semiconductor manufacturing plans.The plant is part of the semiconductor mission and is expected to strengthen domestic chip production capacity. Speaking at the event PM Modi asserted India’s broader ambitions in the sector, saying the country is positioning itself as a reliable player in the global semiconductor supply chain. He added that India is not just witnessing global changes but is preparing to lead them, and pointed to the launch of Semiconductor Mission 2 in the latest budget to boost self-reliance across production sectors, according to PTI. “India of 21st century not merely witness to change, but is moving forward with resolve to lead that change. We launched Semiconductor Mission 2 in last budget to make India self-reliant in every sector of its production,” PM said. The Prime Minister also said India’s decision to join the Pax Silica initiative would help strengthen access to critical minerals essential for semiconductor manufacturing, according to PTI.According to Gujarat science and technology minister Arjun Modhwadia, the facility will manufacture over 7 lakh chips per day. Speaking ahead of the launch on Monday, he said, “In the semiconductor manufacturing chain, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will tomorrow inaugurate a Rs 3,300 crore Kaynes Semicon plant in Sanand. This will be the second plant in the series, and the facility will manufacture more than 7 lakh chips per day.”He added, “With this second unit, we are entering the era of this futuristic industry. The USP of the Prime Minister has been his ability to turn challenges into opportunities,” he told ANI.The inauguration comes weeks after PM Modi launched the Micron semiconductor plant in February. Referring to the pace of that project, he said, “The MoU for this facility was signed in June 2023, the foundation stone was laid in September, and by February 2026, commercial production had already begun. Even in developed countries, such approvals and processes take years, but India has completed this seemingly impossible task in just 900 days. When intentions are clear, and dedication is towards rapid national development, policies become decisive, and decisions gain momentum naturally,” reported ANI. Earlier in the day, Modi also inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. Named after Samrat Samprati, the grandson of Ashoka, the museum focuses on the historical and cultural legacy of Jainism.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’I Want To See India A Super Power By…’: Ex-Tennis Star Leander Paes Joins BJP Before Bengal PollsFrom Naxal Charge To Owaisi Praise: Shah’s Top 7 Shock MomentsUS Strike At Mashhad Airport Hits India-Bound Mahar Air Flight, Iran Calls It Violation Of LawStampede Horror At Nalanda’s Sheetla Temple Amid Big Rush, Multiple Casualties Feared In BiharWhen Art Crosses The Line: Pink Elephant’s Death After Russian Artist’s Viral Photoshoot Sparks Row’Best Of Luck’: Ex-RAW Chief Vikram Sood Warns Of War’s Impact As India Walks Diplomatic Tightrope10 India-Bound Ships Stuck In Persian Gulf Trigger Major Energy Concerns’Sonia, Rahul’s Communist Advisors’: Kangana Ranaut Launches Attack On Congress, Lauds PM ModiAmit Shah Flags Russia-China Influence During CPI, CPI(M) Formation; Slams Bhagat Singh ComparisonCensus Goes Fully Digital: How India Will Count Its Population With Apps, Data And Self-Entry123PhotostoriesScenes of panic: How sudden rush triggered stampede at Bihar temple; 8 dead10 essential soft skills you’re never taught — But need to succeed in lifeSummer Diet: How to make desi Watermelon Rice that impressed Chef Marco Pierre WhiteSummer Holidays: 6 Places every parent should take their kidsIndia’s rarest state birds – places you can still see themWhy your body is no longer responding to exercise: Hidden causes of exercise slump and how to break through them effectivelyForget summer coolers & energy drinks: 6 desi foods farmers eat and drink to survive extreme heat in the fieldFrom a massive living room to an expensive art collection, jacuzzi and more: Krishna Shroff’s opulent Mumbai houseHow to know if someone likes you (especially virtually): 5 subtle signs you can’t miss7 structural marvels of India that define architectural excellence123Hot PicksIncome Tax Changes from April 1stPost office small savings schemesNASA Artemis IIAmazon treeIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Match TodayRajasthan Board 12th Science ResultVaibhav SooryavanshiKarnataka 1st PUC ResultsUS Iran WarKolkata Assembly ElectionBihar Temple NewsRavindra JadejaPakistan terror groupsBank Holiday this week

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated a Rs 3,300 crore semiconductor plant by Kaynes Technology at Sanand GIDC in Ahmedabad, marking the second such facility in the country taking forward semiconductor manufacturing plans.The plant is part of the semiconductor mission and is expected to strengthen domestic chip production capacity. Speaking at the…

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Ranveer Singh to Sanjay Dutt: ‘Dhurandhar’ cast fees revealed– Guess who’s on top?

Ranveer Singh to Sanjay Dutt: ‘Dhurandhar’ cast fees revealed– Guess who’s on top?

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

‘Dhurandhar,’ directed by Aditya Dhar, features a star-studded Bollywood cast including Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun. The film revolves around espionage and crime, with reported actor fees ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 50 crore. Helmed by Aditya Dhar, ‘Dhurandhar’ is considered one of Bollywood’s most…

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Now, Mexico to slap tariffs; may hit Indian car companies

Now, Mexico to slap tariffs; may hit Indian car companies

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Mexico’s Senate approved a bill imposing 5-50% tariffs on over 1,400 Asian products, including India’s, starting next year. This move, targeting China’s massive output, could significantly impact India’s automotive and auto parts exports, valued at $1.1 billion. The tariffs aim to boost Mexican revenue and potentially ease US trade pressure. Mexico’s Senate Wednesday voted in…

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Indian Army Agniveer Admit Card 2026 release confirmed for May 15 on official portal joinindianarmy.nic.in; how to download

Indian Army Agniveer Admit Card 2026 release confirmed for May 15 on official portal joinindianarmy.nic.in; how to download

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Indian Army Agniveer Admit Card 2026 Release On May 15 CEE Exam Schedule Confirmed announced Indian Army Agniveer Admit Card 2026: The Indian Army has confirmed that the Agniveer Admit Card 2026 will be released on May 15, 2026, for candidates appearing in the Common Entrance Exam. The hall ticket will be available on joinindianarmy.nic.in,…

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2,000 L&T workers clash with Surat police over better wages, working conditions; tear gas fired, vehicles torched

2,000 L&T workers clash with Surat police over better wages, working conditions; tear gas fired, vehicles torched

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Over 2,000 L&T contract workers protested at AM/NS India’s Hajira plant demanding higher wages and better conditions (Credits: TOI) SURAT: More than 2,000 workers of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) protested heavily at the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) plant in Hajira village, Surat, today. The workers protested to demand higher wages and better working…

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Head, limbs chopped, parts dumped in poly bags: UP trader hacked to death by wife, her lovers; daughter’s words crack case

Head, limbs chopped, parts dumped in poly bags: UP trader hacked to death by wife, her lovers; daughter’s words crack case

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

BAREILLY: Even as memories of the brutal “Blue drum murder case” in Meerut remain fresh, a similarly chilling murder has come to light from Chandausi in Sambhal district, where a woman allegedly conspired with her lovers to kill her husband, chop his body into pieces and dump them at multiple locations.The case surfaced on December…

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Tamil Nadu has a way of elevating folks that is unmatched anywhere in India, where stardom starts to transcend art and enters the dangerous neighbourhood of worship. One can be a bus conductor from Maharashtra, a starlet from Karnataka or a cricketer from Jharkhand, but once the masses embrace you, one becomes close to divinity. Yet even in a place like that, it is very hard for an actor to immediately make his mark in politics. The only one who truly crossed the proverbial Rubicon in Tamil Nadu was MG Ramachandran, and even he did not do it overnight. MGR joined the DMK in the 1950s, used cinema as a loudspeaker for social-justice politics, built a mass base over decades, and then, after his split with Karunanidhi in 1972, formed the AIADMK. Five years later, in 1977, he became chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Election Results 2026Election results: Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, Puducherry brace for voters’ verdictWest Bengal election results: Tight race expected as TMC faces BJP challengeTamil Nadu election results: Can Stalin retain power or will AIADMK stage a comeback?West BengalTamil NaduKeralaAssamPuducherry PreviousBJP LEADINGWest BengalParty ViewAlliance ViewSeats270/294Total: 294Note: Repolling for the Falta assembly constituency in West Bengal has been scheduled for May 21.L + WMajority: 148BJP0AITC0CONG0CPI(M)0OTH0TVK LEADINGTamil NaduParty ViewAlliance ViewSeats227/234Total: 234L + WMajority: 118TVK0AIADMK0DMK0BJP0CONG0OTH0CONG LEADINGKeralaParty ViewAlliance ViewSeats124/140Total: 140L + WMajority: 71CONG0CPI(M)0IUML0CPI0BJP0OTH0BJP LEADINGAssamParty ViewAlliance ViewSeats117/126Total: 126L + WMajority: 64BJP0CONG0AGP0AIUDF0OTH0BJP LEADINGPuducherryParty ViewAlliance ViewSeats22/30Total: 30L + WMajority: 16BJP0AINRC0CONG0DMK0OTH0 Next12345Source: PValueIn neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, NT Rama Rao managed the even more cinematic version of the feat, turning Telugu screen divinity into electoral power within months of launching the Telugu Desam Party. But Tamil Nadu’s own template remains MGR. And today, one of the starkest outliers in the early trends is the performance of Vijay’s TVK. But who is Vijay, who, if trends hold, could become the new Thalapathy of Tamil Nadu politics?From child actor to star For the uninitiated, Vijay is Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, born in Chennai in 1974, son of filmmaker S A Chandrasekhar and singer Shoba Chandrasekhar. He began as a child actor, stumbled into leading roles in the early 1990s, absorbed the criticism that comes with being dismissed in his early days and slowly became the Commander. There is something almost Chekhovian about that early phase, where nothing dramatic seems to happen and yet everything is being set in motion. The young Vijay struggled to convince audiences that he belonged. He did not enter Tamil cinema like Rajinikanth, whose very cigarette flick appeared to violate Newtonian physics, or Kamal Haasan, who seemed determined to turn every frame into a doctoral thesis. Vijay’s early appeal was more modest. He looked like someone who could have been in the next classroom, at the next bus stop, in the next wedding video, awkwardly dancing before the relatives took over the floor. That ordinariness mattered. Before Tamil cinema allowed Vijay to become a saviour, it first allowed him to become familiar. He was the young man who could love earnestly, suffer sincerely and look wounded without making it theatrical. In the early romantic and family dramas, his job was to win over the heroine, the family and the audience, in roughly that order. Stardom seemed far off, but the foundation was being poured. Then came Ghilli. Watch Appadi Podu – Video Song | Ghilli | Thalapathy Vijay | Trisha | Vidyasagar | Sun Music Every star has that one film where the audience stops asking questions. It was Ghilli for Vijay, the film that established the legend. What changed was not merely the scale of the film but the scale of the audience’s response. The hesitant young man had become a kinetic force. He could run, joke, fight, flirt and rescue without appearing to change species. That became Vijay’s great advantage. He could be larger than life while still seeming locally manufactured. He was the boy next door after the background score had been upgraded. The Commander rises From that point on, the Vijay film developed its own grammar. The hero enters, and the theatre behaves as if a democratic republic has briefly become a monarchy. There is a song, usually designed less as music and more as public infrastructure. There is comedy, because Vijay’s stardom has always required looseness. There is a villain who represents some social rot, private cruelty or institutional failure. There is a fight where bodies fly in a manner that would alarm both doctors and engineers. And somewhere in the middle of all this, there is Vijay doing the thing that made him Vijay: taking the ordinary man’s grievance and giving it a body. That is the key to his cinema. Vijay’s characters are rarely complicated in the literary sense, but they are extremely clear in the emotional sense. He stands where the audience wants someone to stand. Against the bully, the corrupt official, the predatory corporation, the rigged election, the medical racket, the system that has become so big that the common man can only shout at it. His films tell the viewer that anger is justified and that dignity can be restored, preferably after an interval block and before the final song. Watch Master – Vaathi Coming Video | Thalapathy Vijay | Anirudh Ravichander | Lokesh Kanagaraj As his career grew, the films became more muscular and more pointed. The lover became the fighter, and the fighter became the social avenger. The transformation was gradual enough to feel natural. The young man who once needed acceptance now gave assurance. The audience that had watched him plead now watched him command. The shift worked because he did not discard his earlier self. Even inside the mass hero, there remained traces of the familiar Vijay: the smile, the dance, the slightly teasing humour, the ability to soften a scene before the sermon arrived. This explains why his political undertone did not feel sudden. Long before he launched a party, Vijay’s films had begun to sound like campaign speeches smuggled inside commercial cinema. Farmers, corruption, healthcare, education, voting rights, women’s empowerment, corporate greed: the subjects changed, but the moral arrangement remained consistent. Society was failing. The people were waiting. Vijay had noticed. There is a reason that formula worked so well. Tamil cinema, particularly mass Tamil cinema, has never been embarrassed by moral clarity. It does not always want ambiguity. Sometimes it wants catharsis, and Vijay became one of its most reliable suppliers. His best-known screen persona is built on redemptive certainty. The world may be messy, but the Vijay film eventually knows where it stands. That does not mean he stayed frozen. The later Vijay had to survive a changing Tamil cinema, where younger directors brought darker textures, sharper violence and more controlled storytelling. He adjusted. The swagger became more contained. The hero could carry flaws before redemption arrived. The films could be moodier, the silences longer, the violence more stylised. Yet even in these newer worlds, Vijay remained recognisable. He did not chase change so much as absorb it. That is why his longevity is difficult to explain through box office alone. Many actors can dance, fight and deliver punch dialogues. Vijay’s real skill has been calibration. He gives the audience enough emotion to feel invested, enough humour to stay relaxed, enough action to feel rewarded, enough dance to create memory, and enough message to make the experience feel morally nourishing. It is commercial cinema as a full meal, with protein, spice, sugar and a little bit of sermon for digestion. He also grew with his audience. The children who watched the romantic Vijay of the 1990s became the young adults who cheered the action hero of the 2000s, then the voters who saw his 2010s films as social statements. By the time he reached the 2020s, his cinema had become less about individual characters and more about accumulated trust. People were no longer just watching the film in front of them. They were watching three decades of memory return in a new costume. The political journey His political journey follows that same arc of accumulation. It did not begin with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s formal launch in 2024. It began in fan clubs, welfare events, blood donation camps, relief work and the slow conversion of admiration into organisation. Vijay Makkal Iyakkam gave his fandom a ground-level shape before the party arrived. That matters because politics does not run on applause alone. It needs people who can stand in the sun, manage local resentment, identify voters and remain loyal after the theatre lights come on. When Vijay finally announced TVK, it felt less like an impulsive leap and more like the next scene in a long-running screenplay. He announced that he would step away from cinema and commit to politics, which gave the move a seriousness that celebrity politics often lacks. He has spoken in the broad language Tamil Nadu understands: social justice, secularism, anti-corruption, Tamil identity and governance that claims to centre the people. The danger, of course, is that every new entrant says some version of this. The difference is that Vijay arrives with an emotional bank account built over thirty years. The early trends in the Tamil Nadu election have made that bank account impossible to ignore. TVK is on the verge of turning curiosity into consequence, with Vijay’s political experiment showing signs of becoming a real disruption rather than a fan-club fantasy. Final numbers will decide the scale of the moment, but even the trends have altered the conversation. Tamil Nadu is no longer asking whether Vijay can draw crowds. It is asking whether he can redraw power. That is the essence of Vijay’s story. He began as a familiar young man trying to belong, became a mass hero who could make theatres erupt, then turned into a screen figure whose films carried the smell of politics long before the party flag arrived. The Commander was not created in one film or one speech. He was assembled patiently, through romance, rhythm, grievance, spectacle and trust. For three decades, Tamil cinema knew what happened when Vijay turned towards the camera. Now Tamil Nadu is waiting to see what happens when he turns towards Fort St George. Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC AppearanceDelhi Approves ₹48,000 Crore Metro Expansion Plan To Connect Outer Regions With City Core123PhotostoriesEver wondered why sons often seem closer to their mothers and daughters to their fathers? The psychology behind itFrom cinema to power: Vijay’s TVK storms into Tamil Nadu politics with strong debutFrom eggshells to banana peels: 5 kitchen waste items for a healthy balcony gardenFrom vintage paintings to silver mandir, ornate mirror pieces: Cool art pieces inside Sonali Bendre’s house“Log kya kahenge”: How societal pressure shapes Indian childrenFrom Thane to Navi Mumbai: 5 booming real estate hotspots in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR)Morning affirmation at 5 am: Thoughts that hit different when the world is still asleepYou’re brushing your teeth wrong: What dentist says most people missHow to make Pudina Paratha for summer breakfast5 Bengali breads every foodie should try123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesPerambur election resultMamata Banerjee vs Suvendu AdhikariGold rate todayTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026CBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultGSEB HSC Result

Tamil Nadu has a way of elevating folks that is unmatched anywhere in India, where stardom starts to transcend art and enters the dangerous neighbourhood of worship. One can be a bus conductor from Maharashtra, a starlet from Karnataka or a cricketer from Jharkhand, but once the masses embrace you, one becomes close to divinity. Yet even in a place like that, it is very hard for an actor to immediately make his mark in politics. The only one who truly crossed the proverbial Rubicon in Tamil Nadu was MG Ramachandran, and even he did not do it overnight. MGR joined the DMK in the 1950s, used cinema as a loudspeaker for social-justice politics, built a mass base over decades, and then, after his split with Karunanidhi in 1972, formed the AIADMK. Five years later, in 1977, he became chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Election Results 2026Election results: Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, Puducherry brace for voters’ verdictWest Bengal election results: Tight race expected as TMC faces BJP challengeTamil Nadu election results: Can Stalin retain power or will AIADMK stage a comeback?West BengalTamil NaduKeralaAssamPuducherry PreviousBJP LEADINGWest BengalParty ViewAlliance ViewSeats270/294Total: 294Note: Repolling for the Falta assembly constituency in West Bengal has been scheduled for May 21.L + WMajority: 148BJP0AITC0CONG0CPI(M)0OTH0TVK LEADINGTamil NaduParty ViewAlliance ViewSeats227/234Total: 234L + WMajority: 118TVK0AIADMK0DMK0BJP0CONG0OTH0CONG LEADINGKeralaParty ViewAlliance ViewSeats124/140Total: 140L + WMajority: 71CONG0CPI(M)0IUML0CPI0BJP0OTH0BJP LEADINGAssamParty ViewAlliance ViewSeats117/126Total: 126L + WMajority: 64BJP0CONG0AGP0AIUDF0OTH0BJP LEADINGPuducherryParty ViewAlliance ViewSeats22/30Total: 30L + WMajority: 16BJP0AINRC0CONG0DMK0OTH0 Next12345Source: PValueIn neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, NT Rama Rao managed the even more cinematic version of the feat, turning Telugu screen divinity into electoral power within months of launching the Telugu Desam Party. But Tamil Nadu’s own template remains MGR. And today, one of the starkest outliers in the early trends is the performance of Vijay’s TVK. But who is Vijay, who, if trends hold, could become the new Thalapathy of Tamil Nadu politics?From child actor to star For the uninitiated, Vijay is Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, born in Chennai in 1974, son of filmmaker S A Chandrasekhar and singer Shoba Chandrasekhar. He began as a child actor, stumbled into leading roles in the early 1990s, absorbed the criticism that comes with being dismissed in his early days and slowly became the Commander. There is something almost Chekhovian about that early phase, where nothing dramatic seems to happen and yet everything is being set in motion. The young Vijay struggled to convince audiences that he belonged. He did not enter Tamil cinema like Rajinikanth, whose very cigarette flick appeared to violate Newtonian physics, or Kamal Haasan, who seemed determined to turn every frame into a doctoral thesis. Vijay’s early appeal was more modest. He looked like someone who could have been in the next classroom, at the next bus stop, in the next wedding video, awkwardly dancing before the relatives took over the floor. That ordinariness mattered. Before Tamil cinema allowed Vijay to become a saviour, it first allowed him to become familiar. He was the young man who could love earnestly, suffer sincerely and look wounded without making it theatrical. In the early romantic and family dramas, his job was to win over the heroine, the family and the audience, in roughly that order. Stardom seemed far off, but the foundation was being poured. Then came Ghilli. Watch Appadi Podu – Video Song | Ghilli | Thalapathy Vijay | Trisha | Vidyasagar | Sun Music Every star has that one film where the audience stops asking questions. It was Ghilli for Vijay, the film that established the legend. What changed was not merely the scale of the film but the scale of the audience’s response. The hesitant young man had become a kinetic force. He could run, joke, fight, flirt and rescue without appearing to change species. That became Vijay’s great advantage. He could be larger than life while still seeming locally manufactured. He was the boy next door after the background score had been upgraded. The Commander rises From that point on, the Vijay film developed its own grammar. The hero enters, and the theatre behaves as if a democratic republic has briefly become a monarchy. There is a song, usually designed less as music and more as public infrastructure. There is comedy, because Vijay’s stardom has always required looseness. There is a villain who represents some social rot, private cruelty or institutional failure. There is a fight where bodies fly in a manner that would alarm both doctors and engineers. And somewhere in the middle of all this, there is Vijay doing the thing that made him Vijay: taking the ordinary man’s grievance and giving it a body. That is the key to his cinema. Vijay’s characters are rarely complicated in the literary sense, but they are extremely clear in the emotional sense. He stands where the audience wants someone to stand. Against the bully, the corrupt official, the predatory corporation, the rigged election, the medical racket, the system that has become so big that the common man can only shout at it. His films tell the viewer that anger is justified and that dignity can be restored, preferably after an interval block and before the final song. Watch Master – Vaathi Coming Video | Thalapathy Vijay | Anirudh Ravichander | Lokesh Kanagaraj As his career grew, the films became more muscular and more pointed. The lover became the fighter, and the fighter became the social avenger. The transformation was gradual enough to feel natural. The young man who once needed acceptance now gave assurance. The audience that had watched him plead now watched him command. The shift worked because he did not discard his earlier self. Even inside the mass hero, there remained traces of the familiar Vijay: the smile, the dance, the slightly teasing humour, the ability to soften a scene before the sermon arrived. This explains why his political undertone did not feel sudden. Long before he launched a party, Vijay’s films had begun to sound like campaign speeches smuggled inside commercial cinema. Farmers, corruption, healthcare, education, voting rights, women’s empowerment, corporate greed: the subjects changed, but the moral arrangement remained consistent. Society was failing. The people were waiting. Vijay had noticed. There is a reason that formula worked so well. Tamil cinema, particularly mass Tamil cinema, has never been embarrassed by moral clarity. It does not always want ambiguity. Sometimes it wants catharsis, and Vijay became one of its most reliable suppliers. His best-known screen persona is built on redemptive certainty. The world may be messy, but the Vijay film eventually knows where it stands. That does not mean he stayed frozen. The later Vijay had to survive a changing Tamil cinema, where younger directors brought darker textures, sharper violence and more controlled storytelling. He adjusted. The swagger became more contained. The hero could carry flaws before redemption arrived. The films could be moodier, the silences longer, the violence more stylised. Yet even in these newer worlds, Vijay remained recognisable. He did not chase change so much as absorb it. That is why his longevity is difficult to explain through box office alone. Many actors can dance, fight and deliver punch dialogues. Vijay’s real skill has been calibration. He gives the audience enough emotion to feel invested, enough humour to stay relaxed, enough action to feel rewarded, enough dance to create memory, and enough message to make the experience feel morally nourishing. It is commercial cinema as a full meal, with protein, spice, sugar and a little bit of sermon for digestion. He also grew with his audience. The children who watched the romantic Vijay of the 1990s became the young adults who cheered the action hero of the 2000s, then the voters who saw his 2010s films as social statements. By the time he reached the 2020s, his cinema had become less about individual characters and more about accumulated trust. People were no longer just watching the film in front of them. They were watching three decades of memory return in a new costume. The political journey His political journey follows that same arc of accumulation. It did not begin with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s formal launch in 2024. It began in fan clubs, welfare events, blood donation camps, relief work and the slow conversion of admiration into organisation. Vijay Makkal Iyakkam gave his fandom a ground-level shape before the party arrived. That matters because politics does not run on applause alone. It needs people who can stand in the sun, manage local resentment, identify voters and remain loyal after the theatre lights come on. When Vijay finally announced TVK, it felt less like an impulsive leap and more like the next scene in a long-running screenplay. He announced that he would step away from cinema and commit to politics, which gave the move a seriousness that celebrity politics often lacks. He has spoken in the broad language Tamil Nadu understands: social justice, secularism, anti-corruption, Tamil identity and governance that claims to centre the people. The danger, of course, is that every new entrant says some version of this. The difference is that Vijay arrives with an emotional bank account built over thirty years. The early trends in the Tamil Nadu election have made that bank account impossible to ignore. TVK is on the verge of turning curiosity into consequence, with Vijay’s political experiment showing signs of becoming a real disruption rather than a fan-club fantasy. Final numbers will decide the scale of the moment, but even the trends have altered the conversation. Tamil Nadu is no longer asking whether Vijay can draw crowds. It is asking whether he can redraw power. That is the essence of Vijay’s story. He began as a familiar young man trying to belong, became a mass hero who could make theatres erupt, then turned into a screen figure whose films carried the smell of politics long before the party flag arrived. The Commander was not created in one film or one speech. He was assembled patiently, through romance, rhythm, grievance, spectacle and trust. For three decades, Tamil cinema knew what happened when Vijay turned towards the camera. Now Tamil Nadu is waiting to see what happens when he turns towards Fort St George. Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results results on Times of India.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Rejects Nepal’s Objection To Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Route Via Lipulekh PassNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC AppearanceDelhi Approves ₹48,000 Crore Metro Expansion Plan To Connect Outer Regions With City Core123PhotostoriesEver wondered why sons often seem closer to their mothers and daughters to their fathers? The psychology behind itFrom cinema to power: Vijay’s TVK storms into Tamil Nadu politics with strong debutFrom eggshells to banana peels: 5 kitchen waste items for a healthy balcony gardenFrom vintage paintings to silver mandir, ornate mirror pieces: Cool art pieces inside Sonali Bendre’s house“Log kya kahenge”: How societal pressure shapes Indian childrenFrom Thane to Navi Mumbai: 5 booming real estate hotspots in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR)Morning affirmation at 5 am: Thoughts that hit different when the world is still asleepYou’re brushing your teeth wrong: What dentist says most people missHow to make Pudina Paratha for summer breakfast5 Bengali breads every foodie should try123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesPerambur election resultMamata Banerjee vs Suvendu AdhikariGold rate todayTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsBhabanipur election results 2026CBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideHPBose 12th ResultGSEB HSC Result

Vamsikrishna09 mins mins

Tamil Nadu has a way of elevating folks that is unmatched anywhere in India, where stardom starts to transcend art and enters the dangerous neighbourhood of worship. One can be a bus conductor from Maharashtra, a starlet from Karnataka or a cricketer from Jharkhand, but once the masses embrace you, one becomes close to divinity….

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IPL 2026: ‘We are keeping it simple’- Ruturaj Gaikwad eyes playoff push after big win vs MI

IPL 2026: ‘We are keeping it simple’- Ruturaj Gaikwad eyes playoff push after big win vs MI

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Chennai Super Kings’ captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (PTI Photo) Ruturaj Gaikwad reflected on a complete team performance after guiding Chennai Super Kings to a commanding eight-wicket win over Mumbai Indians, a result that keeps their playoff hopes alive. Named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 67, Gaikwad highlighted how CSK managed to wrest back control…

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