The world of streaming collided with the fervent fandom surrounding Tamil actor Vijay recently, resulting in a viral moment for popular YouTuber IShowSpeed, also known as Darren Jason Watkins Jr. While live-streaming from Thailand, Speed encountered a group of fans who repeatedly shouted "Thalapathy Vijay" at him, leaving the streamer utterly baffled.
The incident, captured on Speed's live stream, quickly spread across social media platforms, sparking amusement and discussion among netizens. In the video, the youngsters can be heard yelling "Vijay," "TVK," and "Thalapathi" while riding a motorcycle alongside Speed's car. Despite Speed's repeated attempts to understand what they were saying, he remained clueless, eventually expressing his frustration with an expletive.
Adding to the confusion, the fans went on to describe Vijay as the "Chief Minister of India," a statement that further perplexed Speed, who wondered if Vijay had any connection to Indian cricketer Virat Kohli. This misinformation quickly became a central point of humor and ridicule online, with many users creating memes and jokes about the incident.
The incident highlights the immense popularity of Vijay, known as "Thalapathy" by his fans, particularly in South India. Every movie release of his is considered a festival. The actor has also entered politics. In July 2025, Vijay's political party, TVK, officially declared him as their Chief Ministerial candidate for the 2026 elections in Tamil Nadu. The party has empowered Vijay to make decisions regarding alliances and is planning a statewide tour for him to connect with the masses.
The misrepresentation of Vijay's political role as the "Chief Minister of India" underscores the passionate, sometimes overzealous, nature of fandom. While the enthusiasm of Vijay's supporters is undeniable, the incident serves as a reminder of how easily excitement can turn into misinformation, especially in the age of social media. Some netizens criticized the behavior of the youngsters in a foreign land.
The episode has further cemented Vijay's image as an international meme figure. What was intended as a display of admiration inadvertently became a source of global amusement, blurring the lines between genuine fandom and farce.
As Vijay embarks on his political journey, this incident serves as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of uncontrolled fandom. While the energy and passion of his supporters are valuable assets, it is crucial to channel them responsibly to avoid misrepresentation and maintain a clear distinction between admiration and misinformation.
