Look at Vijay’s career over the past decade, and you’ll see one blockbuster after another, proving his unstoppable pull at the box office.
Thalapathy Vijay has announced his retirement from acting to take the plunge into full-time politics. His upcoming film will be his last as a lead actor, and after that, it's politics all the way. Now, having seen how he has carried himself in the political space so far, I have to say that he seems like the kind of grounded, clear-headed person we need in politics. So yes, I’m genuinely happy for him and excited about what he might bring to public life. But if I’m being honest, the fan in me is heartbroken. Because Vijay is not really just another actor or superstar. He is a phenomenon. A mass superstar who fills theatres like few others can. A screen presence that sends chills, moves masses, and turns every release into a celebration. However, it’s not just about missing our favorite star. From a business perspective, his absence could shake up the entire ecosystem of Tamil cinema.
So, why is Vijay's exit such a big deal for the industry? On his birthday today, let’s understand.
I have no disrespect to anyone, but in today’s Tamil cinema, no star guarantees box office returns like Thalapathy Vijay. He's the only actor whose name alone can turn a film into a theatrical event, even before a single frame is shot. Take 'Leo' for instance. Despite mixed reviews and a polarising narrative, it stormed past Rs 600 crore globally. The film's content may have divided audiences, but the numbers didn’t lie; people showed up because it was a Vijay film. Now let's compare that to the other big names. Rajinikanth, though legendary, comes with skyrocketing remuneration, but all his recent outings like 'Annaatthe' and 'Lal Salaam' barely managed to break even. Kamal Haasan’s 'Indian 2' opened big but fizzled quickly, and 'Thug Life' is already battling low pre-release buzz. Ajith Kumar, while still loved, doesn’t carry the same pan-India or global draw and has been increasingly inconsistent with releases.
With Vijay, producers and theatre owners could breathe easy. His films sold for Rs 100–Rs 120 crore in pre-release deals alone, before shooting wrapped. That kind of financial safety net is vanishing with his retirement. The industry’s most reliable business model is walking off the stage.
With Vijay stepping away, Tamil cinema is losing a type of star that doesn’t exist anymore. Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan are icons, but they’re now in a different league, more respected than relied on. Ajith once gave Vijay tough competition, but over the last few years, Vijay has pulled far ahead, both in scale and presence. Films like 'Leo' or 'GOAT' need more than a superstar; they need Vijay. His charisma, physicality, and sheer mass appeal bring a weight to the screen that few can match. And that’s, without an iota of doubt, the real loss. Without him, it’s not only box office numbers that will take a hit. Certain kinds of films may not even be made anymore in the Tamil industry. Big, bold, high-stakes commercial entertainers that ride on one man’s shoulders retire with him.
(Credit: SonyMusicSouthVEVO)
Yes, there’s promise. Karthi, Jayam Ravi, and Vijay’s own favorite, Sivakarthikeyan, are all evolving. But stardom at that scale needs time, timing, and obviously luck. Until someone truly breaks out, filmmakers will think twice before betting big. Vijay’s exit totally slams the brakes on an entire category of cinema.
If there’s one actor who made Tamil film distribution feel effortless, it’s Thalapathy Vijay. His films fly off shelves, both in India and across the world. From Tamil Nadu to Telangana, Kerala to Karnataka, and all the way to Malaysia, UAE, Sri Lanka, the UK, the U.S., and even France and Japan, distributors line up for a Vijay film like clockwork. And the best part is they don’t even wait to watch a teaser. His name is the deal. 'Leo' is a perfect example, which was pre-sold in most regions, with overseas rights fetching over Rs 60 crore even before release. The film opened on more than 1,200 screens internationally, breaking records for a Tamil release. Vijay’s pull gives distributors confidence to invest big, knowing audiences will show up regardless of reviews. Veteran distributors like Tirupur Subramaniam have said openly, “With Vijay, there’s no selling. His films are bought the moment they’re announced.” With his retirement, Tamil cinema undoubtedly loses its most trusted distribution engine. And that’s a gap no one’s ready to fill just yet.
Thalapathy Vijay’s #LEO is all set to release in Japan on June 20th! pic.twitter.com/7mVtauiEir
— Actor Vijay Team (@ActorVijayTeam) May 12, 2025
(Credit: Actor Vijay Team)
We could go on and on about how Vijay’s retirement will shake the foundation of Tamil cinema. But the truth is, he is moving on and for a greater cause. Cinema is a part of life, but politics is about life. And when someone as sensible as Vijay steps into that space, it gives hope for the people, and also for the art he is leaving behind. On his birthday today, we send him our heartfelt wishes.
