'Vijay is the reason I entered cinema": Filmmaker Mari Selvaraj has an emotional fan moment in Thoothukudi

Filmmaker Mari Selvaraj shared a heartfelt and balanced view about actor Vijay and his political journey, and his words quickly caught the attention of cinema and political observers alike.

Mari Selvaraj about Vijay's inspiration

Speaking at a college event in Thoothukudi, the director reflected on how Vijay influenced him from a very young age. As per Nakkheeran, he said that when one begins to understand cinema, they are naturally drawn toward the most charismatic and impactful personalities, and for him, that person was Vijay. Mari Selvaraj openly admitted that his admiration for Vijay’s screen presence inspired his dream of entering the film industry.





As a fan, he said he continues to deeply like Vijay and recalled how the star was one of the main reasons he went to theatres during his younger days.

Mari Selvaraj fan moment and Vijay cinema impact

However, he was careful to draw a clear line between fandom and ideology. The director explained that he has his own political stance, and his art is shaped by those beliefs. Because of that, he prefers to fully understand Vijay’s political ideology before forming a strong opinion. His response stood out for its honesty; he neither rushed to endorse nor criticise the actor’s political move, choosing instead to wait for clarity. Mari Selvaraj also stated that politics is for those who wish to serve the public.

Mari Selvaraj wishes Vijay

In that context, he congratulated Vijay on venturing into public life and wished him luck with whatever he is embarking upon. His answer is representative of the ever-increasing esteem he has for Vijay as an artist and also addresses the matter of politics more seriously. His answer is praiseworthy for maintaining a rare equilibrium between idolization of a specific being and independent thought.

On the professional front, the director confirmed that his next project will be with Dhanush, with shooting expected to begin in September.

Mari Selvaraj's next film with Dhanush

Mari Selvaraj described the film as a grand fantasy rooted in history and politics, saying it would be the biggest project of his career so far. In addition, he has also committed to another film backed by a leading production house, signalling a busy and ambitious phase ahead for the acclaimed filmmaker.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”