Tamil Nadu Votes: Vishal, Rajinikanth, Ajith Lead Star Turnout on April 23
Synopsis
Actor Vishal led a passionate voter appeal on Tamil Nadu's election day, April 23, as stars including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Ajith Kumar — who flew back from Belgium — turned out to vote. With 4,023 candidates contesting 234 seats, the results on May 4 will shape Tamil Nadu's next five years.
Key Takeaways
Actor Vishal urged all Tamil Nadu voters on April 23 to cast their votes, calling it the most important democratic right.
Rajinikanth and daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth voted at Stella Maris College for Women , while Kamal Haasan voted at the Government School in Teynampet with daughter Shruti Haasan .
Ajith Kumar flew back from Belgium , where he was racing with Ajith Kumar Racing , to vote at Thiruvanmiyur as one of the first voters.
Dhanush and Anirudh Ravichander voted together at St Francis Xavier Middle School, Alwarpet at around 9 AM .
Polling was held across all 234 Tamil Nadu Assembly constituencies with 4,023 candidates contesting on April 23 .
Vote counting is scheduled for May 4 , which will determine Tamil Nadu's government for the next five years .
Chennai, April 23: Actor Vishal on Thursday, April 23, made a passionate appeal to all voters across Tamil Nadu, urging them to step out and exercise their franchise without hesitation, declaring it the most important democratic right of every citizen. The appeal came as polling began for the 234-member Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, with a record 4,023 candidates in the fray and vote counting scheduled for May 4.
Vishal's Urgent Call to Tamil Nadu Voters
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Vishal wrote, "And the time has come to exercise the most important right of ours in this democratic country. Yes, good morning one and all. Let's begin and register this day with utmost responsibility to go and VOTE without hesitance and without fail in our respective constituencies in Tamil Nadu. It's D DAY. #April23."
He further added, "No heat, no long lines, no excuses — let's make sure we bring in the maximum percentage of voting this time. I am going to vote as always without fail and also anticipating the same with everyone. Please see your ballot paper without rushing and vote for the right and deserving candidate."
Vishal underscored the gravity of the occasion by reminding voters that the next five years of Tamil Nadu's development trajectory would be determined by the choices made on this single day.
Tamil Film Industry Stars Cast Their Votes Across Chennai
The polling day witnessed an impressive turnout from the Tamil film industry, with top celebrities making their way to polling booths across the city. Actor and politician Vijay voted at Neelankarai, while his parents — veteran directors S A Chandrasekhar and Shoba Chandrasekhar — cast their votes at the Government School in Kamaraj Avenue, Adyar.
Director H Vinoth, who helmed Vijay's most recent film 'Jana Nayagan', voted at the polling station in Anaicut. Director Pa Ranjith returned to his native Karalapakkam to vote, while director Atlee cast his ballot at Srinivasa Gandhi Nilayam.
Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth and his younger daughter, filmmaker Soundarya Rajinikanth, voted at Stella Maris College for Women. Veteran actor and politician Kamal Haasan arrived alongside his daughter, actress Shruti Haasan, to cast his vote at the Government School in Teynampet.
Ajith Flies Back From Belgium; Dhanush and Anirudh Vote Together
In one of the most talked-about moments of the day, actor Ajith Kumar made a special trip back to Chennai from Belgium, where he had been participating in car racing with his team Ajith Kumar Racing. He was among the first voters to arrive at his polling booth in Thiruvanmiyur, demonstrating his commitment to civic duty.
Popular music composer Anirudh Ravichander and pan-Indian actor Dhanush were spotted together at St Francis Xavier Middle School in Alwarpet, casting their votes at approximately 9 AM. Actor Vikram voted at The Besant Theosophical Higher Secondary School, while actor Gautham Karthik, son of actor-politician Karthik, voted at Stella Maris College.
What This Election Means for Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2021 is being conducted across all 234 constituencies in a single phase on April 23. A total of 4,023 candidates are contesting, making it one of the most competitive electoral battles in the state's recent history.
This election holds particular significance as it comes at a time when Tamil Nadu is navigating post-pandemic economic recovery, infrastructure development challenges, and evolving political alignments. The outcome on May 4 will shape governance, welfare policy, and economic direction for the next half-decade.
Notably, the enthusiastic celebrity participation is being seen as a positive signal for voter turnout — a metric that has historically influenced electoral outcomes in Tamil Nadu, where voter participation rates have consistently ranked among the highest in India.
Counting of Votes and What Comes Next
With polling underway across the state, all eyes will now turn to May 4, when votes will be counted and the political future of Tamil Nadu will be revealed. Political analysts are closely watching key constituencies and swing regions that could determine which party or alliance forms the next government.
As Vishal aptly put it — the next five years belong to the voters of Tamil Nadu, and April 23 is the day they write that story.
Point of View
Where film and politics have always been intertwined. Ajith Kumar flying back from Belgium to vote sends a stronger democratic message than any campaign speech. However, as voters are inspired by star power, the real test lies in whether this enthusiasm translates into informed, issue-based voting rather than personality-driven choices. Tamil Nadu's next government will inherit serious challenges — unemployment, water scarcity, and fiscal stress — and the ballot box today must speak to substance, not spectacle.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did actor Vishal say about Tamil Nadu elections on April 23?
Actor Vishal urged all Tamil Nadu voters to cast their votes without hesitation on April 23, calling it the most important democratic right. He also appealed for maximum voter turnout and asked citizens to vote for the right and deserving candidate.
Where did Rajinikanth vote in the Tamil Nadu elections?
Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth voted at Stella Maris College for Women in Chennai. His younger daughter and filmmaker Soundarya Rajinikanth also voted at the same location.
Why did Ajith Kumar fly back from Belgium on Tamil Nadu election day?
Actor Ajith Kumar returned urgently from Belgium, where he was participating in car racing with his team Ajith Kumar Racing, specifically to cast his vote in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai. He was among the first voters at his booth.
When will Tamil Nadu election results be announced?
The counting of votes for the Tamil Nadu Assembly Election will take place on May 4. Polling was held on April 23 across all 234 constituencies with 4,023 candidates in contention.
Which Tamil celebrities voted on April 23 election day?
Several top Tamil celebrities voted on April 23, including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay, Ajith Kumar, Dhanush, Vikram, Anirudh Ravichander, director Atlee, director Pa Ranjith, and director H Vinoth, among others.
