The era of film stars dominating TN’s political scene may be over. While Rajinikanth, after a lot of hype, faded, Kamal Haasan, his rival, has barely made a mark. With Vijayakant virtually retired, his party too is on life support. M G Ramachandran (MGR), was the first to extend his popularity to the political arena. After launching ADMK (later AIADMK) in 1972, he won in 1977, formed the government and was in office till his death in1987. Rajinikanth had a shot at grabbing a sizeable vote share if not power, but he chose to opt out, citing health issues. Kamal was a surprise package. Until his ‘Viswaroopam’ outbursts, he was a nonaspirant, but the prospects of filling the vacuum created by the absence of Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa and a possibility of outdoing Rajinikanth, at least in politics, drew him in.