Final month, when Kamal Haasan drove into Anna Arivalayam, the DMK headquarters in Chennai, to simply accept the Rajya Sabha nomination from CM MK Stalin, it marked the tip of the street for the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder’s promise to offer an alternative choice to the 2 Dravidian events in Tamil Nadu.Haasan launched MNM in Feb 2018, looking for to distil the anger in opposition to the institution. MNM’s first political promo forward of 2019 Lok Sabha elections confirmed the actor breaking a TV set that is beaming a speech, ostensibly by Stalin. Minimize to 2026 and, having accepted a Rajya Sabha nomination, Haasan “magnanimously” surrendered the three meeting seats DMK had supplied to MNM as an alliance providing.Why did Haasan, who redefined success in motion pictures, fail to reside as much as his promise as a politician? The errors, in all probability, began early. MNM, true to its identify (‘Maiam’ means centre), sought to be a centrist pressure, representing various sections of society. That positioning itself was seen as missing credibility, since Haasan was identified for his leftist views a lot earlier than his political entry. Being on the middle of the political discourse additionally smacked of political ambivalence.Within the ballot area, MNM met with successive electoral setbacks. In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, it contested 37 seats and drew a clean, with a vote share of three.7%. In 2021 meeting elections, it fielded candidates in 154 seats, received nothing, and noticed its vote share dip to 2.5%. In neighboring Puducherry, it bought simply 1.8% votes. Forward of the 2024 normal elections, MNM joined the DMK-led alliance.Following the demise of influential leaders comparable to Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi, many noticed a brand new political house in Tamil Nadu, which movie personalities like Haasan and Rajinikanth might doubtlessly fill. Whereas Haasan took the plunge, Rajinikanth shelved his political plans in late 2020, citing well being issues.Haasan’s core staff comprised individuals from various skilled backgrounds — IAS officer Santhosh Babu, retired IPS officer AG Maurya, businessman R Mahendran, entrepreneur CK Kumaravel, social employee Kameela Nasser, actordirector Sripriya, and author Suka. Although notable of their respective fields, they have been all political novices, and Haasan failed to draw veterans from different events.Anusha Ravi, a lawyer who was MNM propaganda secretary, says she joined the celebration attracted by Haasan’s name for change. “However, quickly, he misplaced his conviction and I felt demotivated. Haasan is keen about cinema, however not politics,” says Ravi, who joined BJP in 2024.Some political analysts really feel Haasan lacked a coherent political technique. “MNM has had a weak organizational construction and restricted engagement with individuals,” says political commentator Aazhi Senthilnathan. “Haasan’s enchantment stays largely confined to city voters. A number of key members exited the celebration after the 2019 debacle, some becoming a member of different events like DMK.”Political analyst Priyan Srinivasan says Haasan was not sure of easy methods to cope with setbacks. “Electoral defeat is regular; one will need to have a plan to take the celebration ahead,” he says. “Take a look at Naam Tamilar Katchi. It confronted a number of defeats, however its chief Seeman is least pissed off and retains the celebration related.”Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) normal secretary D Ravikumar says Haasan’s electoral loss to Vanathi Srinivasan by a slender margin in Coimbatore in 2019 was a turning level. “Had he received, his political profession would have been completely different. Sustaining a political celebration requires endurance, grassroots work, and long-term dedication,” says Ravikumar, who phrases Haasan’s migration to DMK fold “pragmatic and regressive”.In cinema, Haasan, referred to as ‘Sakalakala Vallavan (grasp of all arts)’ is understood for displaying mental depth and inventive assertiveness. Nonetheless, a lot of his works struggled to resonate with rural audiences, as his concepts have been generally forward of their time. Mentored by legendary director Ok Balachander, Haasan rose to develop into certainly one of South India’s most celebrated actors.But, the transition from cinema to politics brings a distinct set of challenges, the place particular person brilliance should give solution to collective management and organizational energy.Haasan just isn’t the primary large star to fail in politics. Legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan tried his luck with DMK and Congress, earlier than founding Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani in 1988. After failing to make a mark within the 1989 elections, it merged with Janata Dal. For Tamil Nadu’s newest film-to-politics crossover star TVK chief Vijay, Haasan’s journey holds a number of classes.CROSSOVER STARSMG Ramachandran The actor joined DMK in 1953 after leaving Congress. He was appointed celebration treasurer in 1969. In 1972, after variations inside noticed him expelled from DMK, MGR floated his celebration, ADMK. He would function a two-term CM, remaining within the saddle for 10 years.J Jayalalitha | She joined ADMK in 1982 and rapidly rose by the ranks to develop into its propaganda secretary by 1983. Referred to as ‘Puratchi Thalaivi’, or ‘revolutionary chief’, she was a five-time CM and was an ADMK colossus who has been the longest-serving normal secretary of the celebration.Shivaji Ganesan Based Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani celebration in 1988 after leaving Congress. However the celebration did not win seats in 1989 polls, main him to briefly be a part of Janata Dal earlier than retiring from politics.Vijayakanth Based DMDK in 2005 and served as a two-time MLA from the celebration. DMDK emerged because the second-largest celebration within the 2011 meeting elections and Vijayakanth went on to develop into chief of the opposition within the Tamil Nadu meeting from 2011 to 2016.R Sarath Kumar The actor based All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK) in 2007. After main the celebration for over 16 years, he merged it with BJP in 2024, citing the necessity for stronger collective motion and ideological alignment with PM Modi.