Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Vijay: Why film fans love the Tamil box-office boss Beast

Vijay: Why film fans love the Tamil box-office boss Beast

ACTING powerhouse Vijay once again showed that he is a box office boss with the success of his new film Beast.

The Indian cinema superstar, affectionately known as Thalapathy Vijay, added to his blockbuster body of work with the Tamil hostage drama released in multiple languages. Apart from his all-round ability, the main thing that has elevated him to incredible heights is a huge cross-generational fan base.


Eastern Eye decided to find out more about his amazing appeal by getting his army of admirers on Twitter to reveal why he is so special and selected the best ones for a tribute feature.

@ajaybaskar: He’s the first hero to make it big with the ‘boy next door’ looks that any person can relate with. That’s the reason why he became the darling of the masses and why his films don’t fall on the first Monday after release.

@Ajaychairman: There’s a dialogue of Thalapathy Vijay in his film Love Today (1997), “You can say 1,000 reasons to not like a person, but it’s tough to pinpoint one reason to like someone”. 25 plus years later, this dialogue is still relevant. It simply means his films are timeless and so is the mutual bonding.

@Amihellu: More than a celeb, Thalapathy Vijay is like our own brother. We grew up watching his movies. When I began to know more about him, my respect and love increased. His kind nature, simplicity, love, care, and respect for fans just made me fall for him more.

@Arya_VJFangirl: I grew up watching his movies. It almost feels like I have known him my entire life. As an actor, he’s a complete package, with perfect expressions, dialogue delivery, action, comedy, dance, and singing. His offscreen persona took my fan-love to the next level.

@bhaskaranvijay1: Three hours in a movie hall where I can forget all my worries in my life. That’s his magic.

@Devanayagam: Thalapathy Vijay is the most optimistic person we know. We literally were born and grew-up witnessing the inspiring legacy he built for himself. He proved himself and has become the icon of millions.

@deviarunassalam: I love him so much because he treats us like family. He’s always cared for us like his own and been our biggest inspiration, on how to deal with whatever life throws at you. I’ll always have mad respect for him because he reminds us to put our family first.

@heythisisvijayy: He can sing, dance and is so popular. He is a box office phenomenon. He always maintains a good physique and has got a good sense of humour. He has swag and style while on screen. He is a commercial cinema genius. Our Thalapathy.

@Iam_bonganu: Since the last eight years, he is like a part of my life. I didn’t know him since my childhood as I am a Bengali, but the moment I saw him and started understanding him, I knew what a great human being he is! He motivated and helped me choose the right path. My life is nothing without his existence.

@KarthikMovf: I’m sure he is the only actor who respects, loves, and cares for his fan more than any other. I had met him twice and took a photo. He provided food to every fan and even served food to us one time; who will do such a thing?

@MrKartShyam: I’ll do it in four words to save you printing space: hero, idol, role model.

@Muru17787: He is not just a cinema star. He is an emotion to me. He will make you laugh, cry, smile. His movies not just entertain but motivate and inspire me. He reminds me if you are true to your profession and work hard, you will succeed. Positivity, which is what we all need now!

@prashaannth: The man is a huge role model for me. I have seen him fail and hit the rock bottom but what I learned from him is how to carry yourself when you fail and how to rise above that. No matter how depressed I feel, his movies and just a glimpse of him will bring a smile to my face.

@rex_jerald: He is calm and composed. I love his tenacity and passion towards his profession. Admire his love for his fans. Appreciate his social work towards his fans. I feel he is a responsible doer and not one who makes false propaganda.

@Shivanshsurya1: It’s been almost 20 years since I became his fan. The aura he exuded in Althotta Boopathy song and his gracious moves initiated me into his fandom. His simple smile can make me happy for hours. I’ve witnessed all that I ever expected of him. Need I say more?

@Vadivelanmadhan: I was a child then, when I started watching songs on television. Like every kid, I started dancing and jumping to his steps. Awesome fight sequences, amazing dances, and excellent comic timing. How can you simply stay away than being a fan.

@VijayIsMyLife: Thalapathy Vijay, to me, is more than a favourite star. I had a personal loss last year. His films and speeches helped me cope with it. He did not let destructive criticisms stop his meteoric rise to superstardom. A huge inspiration.

@preetwho: Vijay is like part of my family. Grew up seeing his films and became an ardent fan since Ghilli. My love and adoration towards him never stopped growing. Been with him during his worst period. Saw him being criticised mocked, trolled, and worse, but now the tables have turned. He is number one.

Special thanks to Twitter: @VijayIsMyLife

More For You

Glowborne

Each character in the set has been carefully designed to reflect cultural narratives

Glowborne

Anika Chowdhury reimagines chess with Glowborne, reviving its South Asian and East African origins

Highlights:

  • British-Bangladeshi prop maker Anika Chowdhury has designed a handcrafted glow-in-the-dark chess set celebrating heritage and identity.
  • The limited-edition set, called Glowborne, launches on Kickstarter in October.
  • Each piece draws from South Asian, Middle Eastern, and African cultural references, re-rooting chess in its origins.
  • The project blends art, storytelling, and representation, aiming to spark conversations about identity in play.

Reimagining chess through heritage

When Anika Chowdhury sat down to sculpt her first chess piece, she had a bigger vision than simply redesigning a classic game. A British-Bangladeshi prop maker working in the film industry, she grew up loving fantasy and games but rarely saw faces like hers in Western storytelling.

“Chess originated in India, travelled through Arabia and North Africa, and was later Westernised,” she explains. “I wanted to bring those forgotten origins back to the board.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Piranhas’ police box

The piece was originally one of nine works that appeared across London in August 2024

Getty Images

Banksy’s ‘Piranhas’ police box heads to London Museum

Highlights:

  • Banksy’s ‘Piranhas’ artwork, painted on a police sentry box, is being stored ahead of display at London Museum.
  • The piece was originally one of nine works that appeared across London in August 2024.
  • It will form part of the museum’s new Smithfield site, opening in 2026.
  • The City of London Corporation donated the artwork as part of its £222m museum relocation project.

Banksy’s police box artwork in storage

A Banksy artwork known as Piranhas has been placed in storage ahead of its future display at the London Museum’s new Smithfield site, scheduled to open in 2026. The piece features spray-painted piranha fish covering the windows of a police sentry box, giving the illusion of an aquarium.

From Ludgate Hill to Guildhall Yard

The police box, which had stood at Ludgate Hill since the 1990s, was swiftly removed by the City of London Corporation after Banksy confirmed authorship. It was initially displayed at Guildhall Yard, where visitors could view it from behind safety barriers. The Corporation has since voted to donate the piece to the London Museum.

Keep ReadingShow less
DDLJ director Aditya Chopra earns UK Stage Debut Awards nod for 'Come Fall in Love'

Aditya Chopra (right) with his father, Yash Chopra

YRF

DDLJ director Aditya Chopra earns UK Stage Debut Awards nod for 'Come Fall in Love'

BOLLYWOOD filmmaker Aditya Chopra was last Thursday (21) named among the nominees of the UK Stage Debut Awards for his Come Fall in LoveThe DDLJ Musical, performed at Manchester’s Opera House earlier this year.

Chopra delivered a blockbuster in 1995 with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, popular as DDLJ, with Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan in the lead roles. It was adapted to a theatrical production and had its UK premiere in May.

Keep ReadingShow less
viral qawwali group UK tour

The group have introduced fresh orchestral elements and added instruments to expand their live sound

Qawwal Group

Shahbaz Fayyaz Qawwal Group brings viral energy and rich heritage to UK tour

Highlights:

  • The Shahbaz Fayyaz Qawwal Group return to the UK with a nationwide tour after viral success online.
  • The ensemble of brothers blend centuries-old qawwali traditions with fresh improvisations that connect with young audiences.
  • From Pakistan to the USA and UK, their performances have won acclaim for their electrifying energy and spiritual depth.
  • Fans can expect new instruments, reimagined classics, and the same message of love and harmony at this year’s shows.

From viral sensation to global stages

When a performance goes viral, it can change an artist’s career overnight. For the Shahbaz Fayyaz Qawwal Group, their stirring renditions of Bhar Do Jholi and B Kafara propelled them from local fame in Pakistan to global recognition, amassing millions of views across platforms. What set them apart was not just the power of their voices, but the way their music resonated with younger listeners who were hearing qawwali with fresh ears.

That viral momentum soon carried them beyond borders, leading to major performances in the United States and the UK. “It wasn’t just one track,” the group explained. “We revived older gems like Kali Kali Zulfon and Dil Pukare Aaja in our own style, and those went viral again, showing that qawwali still speaks across generations.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Annie Jagannadham

Born in 1864 in Visakhapatnam, Annie began medical studies at Madras Medical College, one of the few institutions in India then open to women.

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

How Dr Annie Jagannadham broke barriers in medicine

DR ANNIE WARDLAW JAGANNADHAM was the first Indian woman to gain a medical degree at a British university and have her name added to the UK medical register in 1890.

Her story has been revisited by the General Medical Council (GMC) as part of South Asian Heritage Month. Tista Chakravarty-Gannon, from the GMC Outreach team, explored her life with support from GMC archivist Courtney Brucato.

Keep ReadingShow less