Vijay's exit tests Tamil films' star culture

As audiences favour strong narratives, Tamil film has a chance to reinvent itself if it sheds its star-centric legacy

- Lata Jha

Tamil superstar Vijay's announcement of his final film before a full-fledged political career has raised questions about the future of the state's cinema industry, which has long been anchored by star power. The unease is evident as icons Rajinikanth, Ajith and Kamal Haasan have scaled back to only one film release a year, leaving a void that emerging actors have yet to fill.

Experts said the star-powered model of Tamil cinema is at a crossroads, with producers scrambling to chart a path forward. The lack of fresh crowd pullers sparked fears of dwindling box-office returns, forcing the industry to rethink its reliance on marquee names.