Talk: Can Jr NTR Do Like Vijay In Telugu States?

Ever since Vijay’s TVK made noise in Tamil Nadu politics, a section of fans has started pushing one idea aggressively in the Telugu states. That’s nothing but, why not Jr NTR in Andhra–Telangana next?

On the surface, the comparison looks tempting. Both are massive stars. Both command crazy root-level fan bases. Both have that connection which goes beyond just cinema. So the assumption is simple. if Vijay can translate stardom into political success, why can’t NTR Junior? But reality is far more complex than these Twitter fans would understand.

Tamil Nadu has a long history of cinema-politics crossover. From MGR to Karunandidhi (film writer) to Jayalalithaa, and the audience there has repeatedly converted screen image into electoral power. Vijay entering that space isn’t shocking, it’s almost a continuation of an existing culture. Telugu states are different. Yes, NT Rama Rao proved it’s possible. He didn’t just enter politics, he rewrote the rules. But that was a different era, a different emotional wave, and a very specific socio-political vacuum. Replicating that today is not straightforward.

Back then, people are vexed with Congress party’s 30 year rule in Andhra Pradesh, and there is not even an alternative then. That’s how TDP’s success script emerged. But now, already able parties are ruling the state, and a massive resurrection or restructuring is not needed in both the Telugu states, except good governance the experienced politicians could offer.

Coming to NTR, the political connection is already there, whether he likes it or not. The legacy, the surname, the expectations, all come built-in. He cannot do a Vijay, because Vijay’s major weapon is his not-connected-to-existing-politics kind of persona. If Jr NTR makes such move, surely it implies that he’s looking at his own raise in politics rather than continuing in the grand old party established by his grandfather.

Also, politics today demands full-time commitment, ground work, and years of patience. When NTR is at the top of his game now, can he call it quits just like that? So can Jr NTR do a “Vijay” in Telugu states? Maybe. But the bigger question is: “Should he?”.