It’s the perfect start to his journey from a common man to a politician, said 30-year-old R Sabarinathan, TVK’s candidate for Virgumbakkam post, about his short but intimate moment on stage with Vijay that went viral.
The viral video from the candidate’s announcement event on March 29 captured the raw, emotional moment when Sabarinathan broke down in tears, only for the actor-turned-politician himself to wipe it away and hug him.
The fact that Sabarinathan is the son of Vijay’s long-time driver-turned-PA Rajendran – who conspicuously stood by as the star comforted his son – turned the story into an overnight hit.
The political debut almost didn’t happen, Sabarinathan told PTI. His father, like most Indian parents, wanted his son to become an engineer.
So, he took loans and borrowed money wherever he could and made sure that I became an engineer,” Sabarinathan said.
Sabarinathan added that in 2021, he found himself a job in Qatar, and his father was happier than him.
“The job was good, but I was feeling anxious, and when I heard that Thalaivar was starting a political group, I wanted to return to Chennai and be part of his journey. But my father did not agree,” Sabarinathan said.
Sabarinathan said he tried to listen to his father, but could not. So he went without his father’s knowledge and spoke to Vijay directly and convinced him.
“It was Vijay who asked my father to let me come back and join the party, and he couldn’t say that,” said Sabarinathan, who returned to Chennai in 2024.
Dilip Kumar, an MBA technologist in charge of Virgumbakkam’s campaign strategy, said he had seen how “vigorously” Sabarinathan was involved in the party’s work, and Vijay was only happy to let him play a bigger role.
“He has been appointed as Viergumbakkam district secretary and now he is the candidate,” said Kumar, who runs his own company. He started working as TVK’s full-time strategist on Virugambakkam about 15 days ago.
“Yes, they are all Vijay fans,” Kumar agreed. Although Sabarinathan insists that he is more than just a fan.
“I’ve known him since I was one year old. I’ve accompanied my father countless times on sets. So, I know him a little better than most fans. I truly believe we have something here that’s worth putting all our energy into,” Sabarinathan said.
Sabarinathan, in collaboration with Kumar and his team, said he has identified 22 immediate problems in the constituency that they can definitely solve.
“Here, for example, TASMAC opens its doors from 6 am. Even strict adherence to government timings will bring a lot of relief to our area. So, we promise people that we will ensure this on the first day itself,” Kumar said.
Sabarinathan said Virgumbakkam is where he grew up. “I know this area and its issues by heart. We have good metro connectivity, but we lack a lot when it comes to last mile connectivity. These are the issues I will address,” Sabarinathan added.
Sabarinathan said that being part of the TVK family is probably the biggest achievement of his life, but ever since it was announced that he will be competing against Viergumbakkam, he admitted that he is under a bit of pressure as well.
“Becoming an MLA is a big deal. I never thought I would run a campaign to become one, but now that I am, I want to do my best,” Sabarinathan said.
