Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay’s Dior Sunglasses Gesture Goes Viral
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay stopped at a farm while traveling through Salem district.
He had just inspected a power station and reservoir gates.
He met an elderly woman named Chellam and asked if she had eaten.
She was very happy to meet him because she recognized him from his movies.
Vijay gently placed his sunglasses on her face.
He also gave clothes to the family living at the farm.
The visit lasted about 15 minutes, and videos spread widely online.
Chellam said the meeting felt extremely special, even though she still had everyday problems such as a lost ration card and difficulty doing hard work.
On 1 September, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay stopped at a roadside farm home in Salem district after inspecting the Mettur hydroelectric power station.
Vijay greeted elderly farm workers, spoke with Chellam, and asked whether she had eaten.
After initially hesitating, Chellam allowed Vijay to place his Christian Dior sunglasses on her face.
Vijay spent about 15 minutes at the home, gave dhotis and sarees to the host family, and discussed agricultural issues including milk procurement prices.
Videos of the interaction went viral, while Chellam said she still faced hardships involving a lost ration card, old-age work difficulties, and limited food support.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and elderly farm worker Chellam, at local farmer Palanisamy’s home.
- What
- Vijay made an unscheduled farm visit, placed his sunglasses on Chellam, and distributed dhotis and sarees.
- When
- 1 September; the visit lasted approximately 15 minutes.
- Where
- A roadside farm home near Mettur in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district, after Vijay inspected the Mettur hydroelectric power station.
- Why
- He stopped after seeing elderly women working in nearby fields and spoke with them about their well-being and agricultural matters.
- Visit date
- 1 September
- Location
- Roadside farm home near Mettur, Salem district, Tamil Nadu
- Visit duration
- Approximately 15 minutes
- Sunglasses
- Christian Dior sunglasses reportedly worth around ₹40,000; the actual cost was not independently verified by Mint
- Gifts distributed
- Dhotis and sarees to the host family
- Agricultural topic
- The government’s recent decision to raise milk procurement prices to ₹44
- Chellam’s hardships
- A lost ration card, difficulty performing heavy physical labour because of her age, and reliance on a modest allowance for food
