Chennai, 15 August: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay hoisted the National Flag at the Independence Day celebrations at Fort St George on Saturday morning, as public and political functionaries gathered for the state ceremony. The event also drew attention when actor Trisha Krishnan was photographed seated alongside the chief minister's parents, SA Chandrasekhar and Shobha Chandrasekhar.
Appearance at Fort St George and public reaction
Photographs and short video clips of the ceremony circulated on social media and in news reports, showing Trisha in a yellow saree with a green blouse, her hair tied in a bun adorned with a gajra. In the images, she is seen sitting next to the couple who are parents of the chief minister. Reports said she
"appeared to be in a cheerful mood"during the event.
The attendance of a public figure at a high-profile state function prompted wide discussion online, both among supporters and general observers. Several outlets noted that Trisha had earlier been present at other occasions associated with the chief minister, and that her presence at official ceremonies has previously attracted public attention.
Background: earlier public appearances and reports
Media coverage referenced the actor's earlier attendance at political and social events connected to the chief minister. The reports include the following sequence of happenings:
- On May 10, Trisha reportedly attended the chief minister's oath-taking ceremony; photographs showed her being greeted by the chief minister's mother, and she was later surrounded by fans as she left the venue.
- In March, reports said Trisha and Vijay were photographed wearing matching cream and gold outfits at a wedding reception in Chennai, which drew renewed attention to their association.
- Earlier in the year, media reported that Vijay's wife, Sangeetha Sornalingam, had filed for divorce in February before the Chengalpattu Family Court; the filing reportedly referred to an unnamed actress. Subsequent reporting indicated that Sangeetha later withdrew the petition and the court closed the case after she said she did not wish to pursue it further.
| Event | Reported timing | Source report |
|---|---|---|
| Oath-taking ceremony attendance | 10 May | Reported presence and greeting by chief minister's mother |
| Wedding reception appearance (matching outfits) | March | Reports of matching cream and gold attire at Chennai reception |
| Divorce petition filing and withdrawal | February (filing) and later withdrawal | Reports of petition in Chengalpattu Family Court and subsequent closure |
Political optics and local response
Attendance at state ceremonies by figures from the film industry is a longstanding feature of Tamil Nadu public life and politics, where cinema and politics have long been intertwined. The presence of a high-profile actor at the Fort St George ceremony prompted commentary in newsrooms and among social media users, reflecting continuing public interest in the personal associations of leading political figures.
Officials at the ceremony focused on the formal proceedings: the flag-hoisting and the customary programme that accompanies Independence Day observances at the state administrative headquarters. There were no official statements released at the event about the seating arrangements or guest invitations. Media accounts confined themselves to descriptions of who was present and images captured during the programme.
The reports did not include direct statements from the chief minister, his family or the actor on the matter. Coverage to date is based on photographic and video material from the Independence Day event and previous public appearances.
The Independence Day function at Fort St George remains a key civic observance in Chennai, drawing elected officials, public servants, and invited guests for the formal commemoration led by the state government.
Selvan Murugesan reports from Chennai.
