Chennai: Filmmaker SA Chandrasekhar, father of actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay, said his son consciously chose politics and public service over a more lucrative career in cinema.

Speaking at a Behindwoods event, Chandrasekhar said Vijay could have continued acting and earned significantly more money, but was driven by a desire to serve the people of Tamil Nadu.“My son Vijay…He can easily act and earn a lot of money.....But instead, all he wants to do is serve the people of Tamil Nadu.", he said. He also credited Vijay’s shift towards socially conscious films for shaping this decision.

Chandrasekhar drew a parallel with late actor and former chief minister MG Ramachandran (MGR), noting that films with strong social themes often influence actors’ worldviews and political thinking.

He also credited director AR Murugadoss, recalling that Vijay showed rare emotion after the first narration of 'Thuppakki' (2012), which later became a cult film.

Vijay was last seen in Venkat Prabhu’s 'The GOAT' (2024). His final film, H Vinoth’s 'Jana Nayagan', will release for Pongal on January 9, 2026, after which he plans to focus fully on Tamil Nadu politics under the TVK banner.