Appadi podu: 10 Vijay songs and what they told voters

His songs built him a political persona and contributed to his sensational electoral victory

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Actor Joseph Vijay, who has delivered a blockbuster performance in the Assembly elections, owes some of his popularity to the songs in his films.

His party TVK (Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam) has won 108 of 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, just 10 seats short of a majority. Vijay is expected to be the next chief minister.

Hit brings you a list of songs that went beyond the cinema halls and became subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, political slogans.

Vijay’s songs have constructed a persona—youthful, righteous, defiant, and accessible—and that has now broufht him handsome dividends.

Here is a look at ten songs that helped script a mass identity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRD_3vJagxk

Vaathi Coming (Master, 2021)

Lyricist: Gana Balachandar
Composer: Anirudh Ravichander

Its gaana-infused rhythm and instantly replicable dance moves turned it into a viral video, crossing hundreds of millions of views online.

This is an entry song that signals authority without distance. Vijay arrives not as a distant hero, but as a leader who is already among the people—loose, smiling, unthreatening. It’s charisma without hierarchy.

Political subtext: Leadership that feels organic, not imposed.

Aalaporaan Tamizhan, (Mersal, 2017)

Lyricist: Vivek
Composer: A. R. Rahman

If one song comes closest to ideological signalling, it is this. Framed as a celebration of Tamil identity, the track celebrates tradition and dignity, and pushes Vijay into the realm of spokesperson rather than star.

Political subtext: Identity, pride, and moral legitimacy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtd_VveAEaI&list=RDrtd_VveAEaI&start_radio=1

3 Verithanam (Bigil, 2019)

Lyricist: Vivek
Composer: A. R. Rahman

Part football chant, part festival song, it thrives on collective energy. It is less about the individual hero and more about shared frenzy—crowd, rhythm, belonging.

Political subtext: Mobilisation. The crowd as power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCNqPgXDYhY&list=RDnCNqPgXDYhY&start_radio=1

Kutti Story (Master, 2021)

Lyricist: Vijay
Composer: Anirudh Ravichander

This track is essentially a speech set to music. Written by Vijay himself, it bypasses cinematic narrative and speaks directly to the listener.

Political subtext: Direct communication—no intermediaries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ92nnR1Pt8&list=RDxZ92nnR1Pt8&start_radio=1

Selfie Pulla (Kaththi, 2014)

Lyricist: Madhan Karky
Composer: Anirudh Ravichander

Playful, cheeky, and deeply embedded in early social media culture, this track positioned Vijay as an enthusiastic participant in youth culture.

Political subtext: Relatability in the digital age.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1BqRYMFS08&list=RDi1BqRYMFS08&start_radio=1

Appadi Podu (Ghilli, 2004)

Lyricist: Pa. Vijay
Composer: Vidyasagar

Long before virality was a metric, this was a ground-level phenomenon—played at weddings, street celebrations, and temple festivals.

Political subtext: Grassroots recall. Familiarity breeds trust.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0rsohKGd-w&list=RDz0rsohKGd-w&start_radio=1

7. “Google Google” (Thuppakki, 2012)

Lyricist: Madhan Karky
Composer: Harris Jayaraj

A song that leaned into urban cool and technological awareness, “Google Google” expanded Vijay’s appeal beyond traditional mass circuits.

Political subtext: Modernity and aspirational identity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gxRrWvc5r8&list=RD0gxRrWvc5r8&start_radio=1

Vaada Maapillai (Villu, 2009)

Lyricist: Kabilan
Composer: Devi Sri Prasad

A classic kuthu number with strong rural penetration, this track underscores how Vijay’s music travels beyond metros into smaller towns and semi-urban belts.

Political subtext: Wide demographic reach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUN5Uf9mObQ&list=RDKUN5Uf9mObQ&start_radio=1