The story highlights a striking shift in Kerala’s film fandom and box office dynamics, focusing on how actor Vijay’s popularity in the state grew at an unusually fast pace. While Kerala has long been known for its strong movie culture and widespread loyalty to Malayalam stars, the narrative points out that many non-Malayalam actors have managed to build significant fan followings in the region over time. These actors, coming from different film industries, were able to capture audiences through standout performances, consistent releases, and memorable on-screen presence.
However, the central emphasis of the news story is that Vijay’s fan following in Kerala surprised even industry observers. Unlike the more gradual growth seen for several other non-Malayalam stars, Vijay’s expansion in Kerala is described as coming from almost nothing initially—essentially a near-zero starting point. The account suggests that when audiences began to warm up to him, the momentum escalated quickly, allowing him to become one of the most followed actors in the state within a relatively short period.
The story frames this growth as so notable that Vijay is presented as reaching a level comparable to, or even equal to, the fan dominance traditionally associated with Kerala’s biggest Malayalam superstars. Specifically, the comparison is made against Mammootty and Mohanlal, two names that have historically represented the strongest and most deeply rooted star power in Kerala. The implication is that Vijay’s rise was not merely about gaining a decent audience share—it was about achieving a fanbase scale that could rival the most established local icons.
Within this broader discussion of star power, the news story points to Vijay’s film Thulladha Manamum Thullum as a key moment or marker in his Kerala journey. The mention indicates that the actor’s growing popularity was significantly reinforced through mainstream appeal and audience connection fostered by his performances in that film. The phrasing in the original excerpt suggests that the movie played a role in advancing his fan following to a level that brought him into direct contention with top-tier Malayalam celebrity influence.
Although the excerpt is brief, the underlying theme is clear: Kerala’s audience is not restricted by linguistic boundaries, and star power can cross state lines when an actor successfully resonates with local viewers. The story also draws attention to how Kerala’s box office ecosystem can reward non-Malayalam performers once they manage to establish visibility and emotional connect with the audience. The news angle is less about Vijay’s career achievements in his primary industry and more about how his stardom translated into Kerala’s fan culture and market response.
Another notable aspect is the contrast between expectations and outcomes. The account implies that many observers might not have predicted such a rapid rise. Vijay’s fanbase growth from almost zero to the biggest in Kerala—either surpassing or matching Mammootty and Mohanlal—was portrayed as a real surprise. This is presented as a form of confirmation that Kerala film audiences are receptive to strong screen charisma and entertainment value regardless of the language of production.
The overall narrative therefore functions as a case study in how fandom can grow exponentially when the right mix of factors—audience taste, impactful storytelling, mass appeal, and consistent visibility—align. It also suggests that box office success and fan following reinforce each other: once an actor becomes popular, the fanbase encourages stronger turnout and wider discussion, and those outcomes further cement the actor’s reputation in the state.
In conclusion, the news story centers on the remarkable phenomenon of Vijay’s fan following in Kerala, described as having risen from near-zero to an unprecedented peak that places him at the same level as the state’s most prominent Malayalam stars, Mammootty and Mohanlal. It also identifies Thulladha Manamum Thullum as part of the turning point in this rise. Source: The provided news story excerpt under the heading about Kerala Box Office and Vijay’s unexpected fan following growth.
Kerala Box Office: Many non Malayalam actors made huge fan followings in Kerala, but Vijay’s fan following in Kerala surprised everyone. From almost zero, he became the actor with the biggest fan following in the state after, or even equal to, Mammootty and Mohanlal. Thulladha Manamum Thullum made. #breaking
— @KeralaBxOffce May 1, 2026
News Source
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