Kamal Haasan, Raghava Lawrence wish Tamil Nadu CM Vijay on 52nd birthday
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay turned 52 on Monday to an unprecedented flood of greetings — from old film friends like Kamal Haasan and Raghava Lawrence to political heavyweights PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi. It is his first birthday as a sitting Chief Minister, marking how completely the former superstar has rewritten his public identity.
Key Takeaways
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C.
Joseph Vijay turned 52 on 22 June 2025 , celebrating his first birthday as a sitting head of government.
Kamal Haasan called Vijay his ‘beloved younger brother’ in a birthday post on X .
Raghava Lawrence , who has expressed political ambitions, described the occasion as ‘extra special’ given Vijay’s new role as Chief Minister.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi both posted individual birthday messages on X .
Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) , won 108 of 234 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections to become the single-largest party.
Actor, producer and parliamentarian Kamal Haasan and actor-producer Raghava Lawrence were among a wave of film celebrities and political leaders who extended birthday greetings to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday, 22 June, as he turned 52. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also joined the chorus of well-wishers.
Kamal Haasan and Raghava Lawrence Lead Film Fraternity Wishes
Taking to his X timeline in Tamil, Kamal Haasan wrote, “My heartfelt birthday wishes to Honorable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam’s Chief and my beloved younger brother Vijay, who has won the love of crores of hearts.” The message, warm in tone, underscored the long personal bond between the two veterans of Tamil cinema.
Raghava Lawrence, who recently expressed a desire to enter politics, also posted on X: “Every year, I wish my Nanba (friend) a happy birthday. But this year it’s extra special and I’m happy to say, Happy Birthday to Honorable Chief Minister of Tamilnadu! @TVKVijayHQ.” The added significance this year stems from Vijay’s transition from superstar to sitting Chief Minister.
Other film personalities including Shanthanu and Khushbu Sundar, along with several production houses and film distribution entities, also extended their greetings on the occasion.
Modi and Rahul Gandhi Extend Political Wishes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his birthday message posted on X, said: “Birthday greetings to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru C. Joseph Vijay Ji. I pray for his long and healthy life.”
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi offered a more expansive message, stating: “Wishing the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru Joseph Vijay, a very happy birthday. I wish you good health and success in all your efforts. I stand with you in defending the rights, dignity, and aspirations of the Tamil people, and in working together for the state’s progress.” Gandhi’s message notably carried a political undertone, signalling alignment on Tamil rights and state autonomy.
From Superstar to Chief Minister: Vijay’s Political Journey
C. Joseph Vijay, born on 22 June 1974 in Chennai, spent decades as one of Tamil cinema’s most bankable stars before formally entering politics in 2024 by launching the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The party made a striking electoral debut in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, emerging as the single-largest party with 108 seats out of 234. Vijay subsequently assumed office as Chief Minister, completing a rare transition from mass entertainer to elected head of government.
Significance of the Birthday This Year
This is the first birthday Vijay celebrates as a sitting Chief Minister, making the occasion markedly different from past years when greetings came primarily from fans and film circles. The participation of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition, and senior film personalities reflects his expanded stature in national public life. Notably, both Modi and Gandhi — rivals on most political fronts — chose to personally acknowledge the occasion, a signal of the political weight Vijay now carries in Tamil Nadu.
Point of View
But the political geometry is telling. That both Prime Minister Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted personal messages for a Chief Minister who is barely a year into office signals how quickly Vijay has become a figure neither national party can afford to ignore in the South. Raghava Lawrence’s pointed reference to the occasion being ‘extra special’ also hints at the gravitational pull Vijay’s political rise is exerting on others in the film fraternity still weighing their own electoral futures. Tamil Nadu’s political landscape has always rewarded star power, but converting it into durable governance is a different test — one Vijay is only beginning to face.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay’s birthday?
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay was born on 22 June 1974 in Chennai, and turned 52 on Monday, 22 June 2025. This is his first birthday as a sitting Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
What did Kamal Haasan write for Vijay’s birthday?
Kamal Haasan posted a birthday message in Tamil on X, calling Vijay his ‘beloved younger brother’ and noting that he has ‘won the love of crores of hearts.’ Haasan is both a veteran actor and a parliamentarian.
Did PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi wish CM Vijay?
Yes, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi posted birthday greetings on X. Modi prayed for Vijay’s long and healthy life, while Gandhi expressed solidarity with the Tamil people and their aspirations.
How did Vijay become Tamil Nadu Chief Minister?
Vijay launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in 2024 after retiring from Tamil cinema. The party won 108 of 234 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, emerging as the single-largest party, and Vijay subsequently took office as Chief Minister.
Why did Raghava Lawrence call Vijay’s birthday ‘extra special’?
Raghava Lawrence, who has recently expressed his own desire to enter politics, noted that wishing Vijay as Chief Minister — rather than just as a friend from the film industry — made this birthday particularly significant. Lawrence posted the message on X, tagging Vijay’s official handle.
