Ever since the iconic M.G. Ramachandaran (MGR) broke away from it, the DMK has fretted about not having ‘star value' in its ranks. DMK leader and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi tried promoting his son Mu.Ka. Muthu, but it didn't work. MGR's death brought little relief to the DMK, since the AIADMK's mantle of leadership went to Jayalalithaa, another charismatic film personality.
The DMK roped in others such as S.S.Rajenderan, a contemporary of MGR, who had a love-hate relationship with the DMK, and actor-director T. Rajendar with his alliterative style, but without much success. The actor-couple Sarath Kumar and Radhika too campaigned for the party before launching their own outfit. Actors such as Vagai Chandrasekar, the late Pandian and Kumari Muthu have also played bit parts in the DMK's poll dramas.
In 2006, the party succeeded in bringing in actor Bhagyaraj, projecting him as an inheritor of the MGR legacy. Actor Kushboo has of late emerged as a star campaigner for the party, and comedian Vadivelu, whose antipathy towards actor and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam leader Vijayakant, alias ‘Captain', is well known, has also joined the DMK bandwagon. However, none has had the sheer drawing power of MGR, who never lost an Assembly election.
