The difference is indeed stark.
Vijay started a party with the support of his fan base. That's his political journey.
But let's not pretend Vijay's journey was entirely "self-made." Being the son of film director and producer S. A. Chandrasekhar gave him opportunities that most aspiring actors could only dream of. His early films did not make him a superstar overnight, and his father played a significant role in backing and shaping his career during the initial years. Vijay's eventual success came through persistence and hard work, but the platform was undeniably available to him from the beginning.
Now let's talk about Annamalai.
Annamalai came from a non-political background, cleared the UPSC, served as an IPS officer, resigned from a prestigious government career, and entered politics purely out of conviction. He did not inherit a political party, a political family, or a ready-made support system.
His rise in Tamil Nadu politics has been driven by grassroots engagement, issue-based politics, direct interaction with the public, and the ability to connect with people across social and political lines.
More importantly, even after stepping down from the BJP state president position, he did not disappear from public life. Instead, he launched a new people-centric movement focused on leadership development, social participation, nation-building, and identifying young leaders who can contribute positively to society. Rather than seeking positions, he is investing time in creating future leaders and strengthening public participation.
If Modi and Amit Shah alone could create leaders, every BJP state president would enjoy the same popularity and public recognition. Leadership requires credibility, communication skills, vision, and relentless hard work.
Vijay had the advantage of a family-backed entry into cinema. Annamalai had to build his career through competitive examinations, public service, and political work from the ground up.
Both have their own journeys, but claiming that Annamalai's popularity exists only because of BJP while ignoring his personal achievements, public outreach, and leadership initiatives is simply not an objective assessment.