Cinema VinesTamil Nadu’s chief minister and popular actor C. Joseph Vijay made headlines on Saturday when he waved the ceremonial green flag to start the Le Mans Cup race at Silverstone, England. The event, which also saw fellow actor Ajith Kumar competing with his own team, drew a mixed reaction from political opponents who questioned the transparency and cost of the overseas trip.
Vijay’s presence was accompanied by actress Trisha Krishnan and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) minister Aadhav Arjuna. While the CM‑actor was on the sidelines, he was seen hugging Ajith with a wide grin and encouraging the crowd to cheer for the fellow star rather than chanting “TVK.” The moment was captured on video and quickly went viral among fans.
Following the flag‑off, Vijay watched the race from a balcony, joined by Trisha and Aadhav Arjuna. Prior to the event, the trio had been spotted together at the race’s tent, with Vijay and Ajith sharing a friendly hug that was widely shared on social media.
The controversy intensified when opposition parties demanded greater scrutiny of the trip’s purpose and public expenditure. In response, veteran actor and critic Prakash Raj called for a “one‑year grace period” before judging the new government’s performance, noting that Vijay has only been in office for 120 days. Speaking in Tiruchirappalli, Raj said, “Vijay is the Chief Minister not only for those who voted for him but also for those who did not vote for him. He should be given more time. At least one year should be allowed before commenting on the performance of his government.”
Raj added that criticism should wait until the first budget and that there was nothing wrong with Vijay traveling abroad to meet Ajith. He emphasized that the focus should be on whether the trip achieved its stated goals, including securing investments worth “several thousand crores.” He concluded, “If they do not perform properly even after one year, I will question them.”
In the world of cinema, commentators likened the dynamic between Vijay and Ajith to Hollywood’s Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, hoping that Ajith might soon star in a film about F2 racing after his recent appearances in “Vidaamuyarchi” and “Good Bad Ugly.” Vijay’s latest film, “Jana Nayagan,” released in July 2023 after censorship delays and an online leak, remains a recent highlight of his filmography.
