Cinema VinesOn Saturday, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister and film star C. Joseph Vijay lit the ceremonial green flag at the Le Mans race held at Silverstone, England, marking a historic moment for the state’s political and entertainment worlds. The event drew a sizeable crowd of Tamil Nadu fans who had travelled to the UK, eager to see the CM‑actor and his fellow star Ajith Kumar compete on the world’s most famous endurance track.
Vijay, dressed in jeans, a black T‑shirt and a brown jacket, stood beside Trisha Krishnan and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) minister Aadhav Arjuna on the sidelines as Ajith’s team prepared for the race. Fans spotted Trisha joining the group in a tent before the start, and one enthusiast shared a video on Instagram captioning the moment “Trisha spotted in AK & thalapathy tent.”
During the race, Vijay was seen cheering from the stands, holding a camera as Trisha peeked down to watch the action. After the finish, the CM‑actor changed into a custom racing suit painted in his party’s yellow and red colors, joined Ajith in holding the Indian flag, and posed for several photos. A video of the two actors hugging and chatting before Ajith’s race went viral, with Vijay’s broad smile and warm greeting highlighted by fans.
Ajith expressed his gratitude to Vijay for taking time from his busy schedule to attend the event, noting their 34‑year friendship in the film industry and his pleasure at Vijay’s new role as Chief Minister‑elect. Radhika Sarathkumar also appeared before the race to cheer Ajith, posting a celebratory video on social media.
The day’s festivities were amplified by fans chanting “TVK” from the stands, to which Vijay responded by encouraging them to cheer for Ajith instead. The event showcased a rare convergence of political leadership, cinematic celebrity, and sporting enthusiasm, drawing attention from media outlets worldwide.
