As the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thalapathy Vijay’s political journey has become one of the biggest talking points in recent years. Long before entering active politics, the actor often delivered strong social and political messages through his films. No matter the subject – voting rights, farmers’ problems, corruption or public welfare – several of his characters portrayed concerns close to the heart of the common man. On Vijay’s 52nd birthday, here’s a retrospective of five films where the actor lets viewers see the future leader in him.