Inspired by Vijay’s ‘Thamizhan’, Chennai man donates ₹22,674 to CM Relief Fund

A reel sequence just influenced real life.

In a vital scene from the 2002 film Thamizhan, the protagonist Surya (played by Vijay) sends a cheque of ₹4,000 to the Indian Prime Minister as his contribution towards settling the country’s outstanding debt.

Almost 25 years later, this sequence seems to have inspired Chennai-based Arun Loganathan. Even as actor Vijay took over as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister recently, Arun has done what the actor did in the movie: he has deposited ₹22,674 to the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund, as part of his contribution towards settling the state’s debts.

“It is a small effort from my side,” says Arun, “I have often heard the saying: Be the change you wish to see in this world. This, in my opinion, part of that change.”

A mentalist by profession, 43-year-old Arun believes that citizens should play an active role in governance and social awareness as well. “I have documented on video my entire journey of visiting the Villivakkam post office and depositing the amount,” says Arun, who based his calculation on the Tamil Nadu budget released in February 2026. “While the entire amount for one individual would work out to more than Rs 1 lakh, I decided to deposit ₹22, 674 for now.”

This particular amount has special significance to fans of actor Vijay; it corresponds to the actor-turned-politician’s date of birth (June 22, 1974).

His recent gesture was accompanied by Arun’s letter addressed to Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, which was titled ‘Fulfilling my individual debt responsibility’, detailing the intention behind the contribution. Through this, Arun, who contracted polio as a child, also wants to draw the attention of the Tamil Nadu government towards providing inclusive spaces and ease of access for persons with disabilities. “I’m aware that this amount might not be directly used to settle the state debts, but for relief work, as some people have pointed out on my social media. But if this can be a small step towards providing ease of access to the differently-abled, it will go a long way in making their lives easy,” he adds.

Arun Loganathan
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Special Arrangement

Today, Arun is a mentalist, hypnotist and mind-reader, regularly performing in corporate shows and TV programmes, but back in the early 2000s, he was also a law student, much like Thamizhan’s protagonist Surya. A graduate of the Dr Ambedkar Law College, Arun dreamt of a corruption-free, law-abiding society. “I have fond memories of watching Thamizhan when I was in college, and could connect with the ideals of the hero,” he recalls.

In Thamizhan, Vijay’s goal was to raise awareness of basic laws among the common man. Directed by Majith and marking the debut of Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra, the film also has other sequences where the protagonist pulls up public servants — like a conductor who refuses small change to a senior citizen travelling in a bus, and corporation officials who neglect their duties that affect the lives of the downtrodden.