The state of Tamil Nadu witnessed history after Vijay took oath as the Chief Minister of the state on May 10, after sweeping the assembly elections 2026. As Vijay now takes on his new role as the head of state, here's looking back at Indian film celebrities who took charge as the Chief Ministers of their respective states.
Updated On: 2026-05-10 05:11 PM IST
Compiled by : Amarylisa Gonsalves
MGR
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran, popularly known by his initials M. G. R., was a Tamil actor, director, and film producer, widely known for his work in cinema.
MGR led the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party and served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for ten consecutive years until his death between 1977 to 1987.
Janaki Ramachandran
Vaikom Narayani Janaki, also known as Janaki Ramachandran, was an actress in Tamil cinema. She was elected as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after the death of her husband, MGR, in 1987. She became the first female Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and held office for 24 days.
Muthuvel Karunanidhi
Popularly known as Kalaignar, Karunanidhi was a renowned and respected screenwriter in the Tamil film industry.
On 9 February 1969, the DMK's MLAs chose Karunanidhi to lead the party after the serving CM died of cancer. He served as the Chief Minister of the state for five terms separately between 1969 and 2011.
NT Rama Rao
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, often referred to as NTR, was an Indian actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, film editor who contributed greatly to Telugu cinema.
N.T. Rama Rao (NTR) founded the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982 and served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh three times between 1983 and 1995.
J Jayalalithaa
Jayaram Jayalalithaa, popularly known as Amma, was one of the leading actresses of her times in Tamil cinema.
J. Jayalalithaa was an instrumental leader of the AIADMK and served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for six separate terms, holding the office for over 14 years in total between 1991 and 2016.
Bhagwant Singh Mann
Bhagwant Singh Mann is a former Punjabi actor, singer and comedian, who worked in several films including 22g Tussi Ghaint Ho, Ekam – Son of Soil, Hero Hitler in Love, Police in Pollywood among several others.
On 18 January 2022, Mann was selected as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate for the Chief Minister of Punjab in the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election. Since then he has been serving the chair.
Vijay
Thalapathy Vijay is a well-known Tamil actor having delivered countless superhits in cinema in his 33-year-long filmy career, including films like Theri, Leo, GOAT, Master, Mersal, Varisu, Bigil and several others.
Vijay launched his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in 2024 and contested his debut elections in 2026, which he won. He took oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, 2026.
