Sri Lankan Member of Parliament and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) leader Namal Rajapaksa has advised actor-turned-politician Vijay to take politics seriously and make sure that the promises given to people are fulfilled. He warned that making speeches during elections and actually running a government are very different challenges.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Rajapaksa said Vijay’s entry into politics has created interest not only in India but also in other countries. However, he said that public trust will depend on how well Vijay performs as a leader. “Politics is not like acting in a movie. It is a full-time responsibility. People will have high expectations, and those expectations must be met,” Rajapaksa said.
Calling Vijay one of his favourite actors, Rajapaksa said he has followed Vijay’s film career for many years and praised his popularity and talent. At the same time, he said Vijay’s political journey has only just begun.
When asked whether he prefers Vijay as an actor or as a politician, Rajapaksa said that Vijay’s political abilities are yet to be proven. “As a politician, he is still untested. As an actor, he has talent, experience, and time on his side. We will have to wait and see where politics takes him,” he added.