From college corridors to the Chief Minister’s office, Vishal still has just one word for Vijay. It is not ‘sir.’ It is not ‘honourable.’ It is not even ‘Thalapathy.’ It is ‘Darling.’
Image Source: X
Actor Vishal took to X to thank Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for a film industry decision. In doing so, he addressed Vijay with a warmth that went beyond a formal note, calling him the “darling of the masses” and signing off with “a big whistle from all of us.”
The post drew wide attention, partly because of how Vishal phrased it, and partly because the two men share a college history that fans have long known about.
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Dearest darling CM Vijay @CMOTamilnadu
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The word “darling “ hasn’t changed which I used to call u for the last so many years since i knew u from Loyola college. It all started wen I got to know you as a budding star and then seeing u rise up the ladder as the SUPERSTAR facing… pic.twitter.com/iTLAeCZ3cp
— Vishal (@VishalKOfficial) June 16, 2026
Taking to his X timeline to express his gratitude, Vishal wrote: “The word “darling “ hasn’t changed which I used to call u for the last so many years since i knew u from Loyola college. It all started wen I got to know you as a budding star and then seeing u rise up the ladder as the SUPERSTAR facing all odds and criticism and brushing it away with ya silence and success and then moving on to become the Hon Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. (sic)”
The word “darling” stood out. For those aware of the two actors’ shared past at Loyola College, Chennai, it carried extra weight. Vishal has publicly acknowledged that he has known Vijay since their college days at Loyola, and the affectionate address suggests that familiarity has not faded even now that Vijay sits in the Chief Minister’s chair.
Vishal Krishna Reddy, born on August 29, 1977, studied Visual Communications at Loyola College, Chennai. Vijay too joined Loyola College for Visual Communications, though he left midway to pursue an acting career.
The two were at the same institution, enrolled in the same course. That shared academic history has been part of their personal bond for decades. Debuting in 2004 with the film Chellamae, Vishal went on to become one of Kollywood’s leading action stars, while Vijay became the biggest name in Tamil cinema before transitioning to politics and eventually becoming Chief Minister.
In a major boost to the film industry, the Tamil Nadu government allowed screening of up to five shows in theatres for newly released movies. Vishal was first among those from the industry to hail the move from the TVK government.
The Chief Minister’s decision came in the wake of a meeting he had with a delegation from the film industry that met him on May 16 and placed before him a list of requests.
The Tamil Nadu government permitted theatres to have five shows on festival days, public holidays, and on Saturdays and Sundays as well.
This praise comes after a period of tension. Vishal, who earlier made implicit criticism against the TVK government in Tamil Nadu, now got reasons to praise the government led by Joseph Vijay.
Vishal had taken to his X profile and written a long note saying it was “disheartening” to see Minister Rajmohan placed in charge of the Film Technology and Cinematograph portfolio, questioning whether he or the film association could present grievances to someone with “less or no experience” of what was happening in the industry.
The five-shows decision appears to have shifted his tone.
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