File photo of actor-turned-politician Vijaykanth
The national election marks a political coming of age for Vijayakanth, 62. The former actor, with roles in nearly 150 films, set up his Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) party in 2005. In the last general election in 2009, his party did not win a single seat in Tamil Nadu. But in recent weeks, the Congress and the BJP both wooed him with the latter finally winning his partnership.
Vijayakanth's fans have called him Captain ever since he portrayed an IFS officer in his 1991 hit film "Captain Prabhakaran". In the state elections three years ago, he allied with J Jayalalithaa and her AIADMK. She won a landslide victory; he got 29 of the state legislature's 234 seats, landing his DMDK in impressive second place. For the first time, the two traditional political behemoths - Jayalalithaa's party and M Karunanidhi's DMK - had to grapple with a man who could make a damaging rival, though a useful ally. Vijayakanth became Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu assembly.
In 2012, Vijayakanth fell out with Jayalalithaa after a disagreement over how many seats his party would contest in municipal elections.
The Captain and his party draw much of their support from northern Tamil Nadu.
The multiple proposals he received for his party this year signal his growing influence in the state's politics, though he no doubt would like to see his party getting a role in the union government, if the BJP-led national alliance comes to power.
The Captain is married with two children who are not in politics.
His blockbuster hits include "Pulan Visaaranai" and "Oomai Vizhigal" and fans love him most in his roles as police inspector and labour leader.