Quick Read
- Actor-politician Joseph ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay’s wife, Sangeetha Sornalingam, has filed for divorce.
- The petition, filed in Chengalpattu District Court, alleges infidelity, cruelty, and mental strain.
- Sangeetha claims she discovered an extramarital affair in April 2021 that continued despite assurances.
- The couple was married for 25 years and has two children, Jason Sanjay and Divya Saasha.
- The divorce filing raises questions about Vijay’s carefully built ‘family man’ image and his political career.
CHENNAI (Azat TV) – Joseph Vijay, the influential Indian actor and burgeoning politician widely known as ‘Thalapathy,’ is facing a significant personal crisis as his wife, Sangeetha Sornalingam, has reportedly filed for divorce after 25 years of marriage. The petition, submitted to the Chengalpattu District Court, cites allegations of infidelity, cruelty, and mental strain, a development that has sent ripples through both the Tamil film industry and the political landscape of Tamil Nadu, raising questions about its potential impact on Vijay’s carefully cultivated public image and his nascent political career.
News of the divorce filing emerged on February 27, 2026, quickly dominating media headlines across India. Sangeetha Sornalingam’s petition, filed under Sections 27(1)(a) and 27(1)(d) of the Special Marriage Act, 1954, specifically accuses Vijay of being involved in an extramarital relationship with a fellow actress. According to reports by India Today and The Economic Times, Sangeetha claims she became aware of the alleged affair in April 2021 and that despite repeated assurances from Vijay that the relationship would end, it continued. The plea further details allegations of emotional pain, shattered trust, mental and emotional neglect, verbal disdain, and restrictions on her financial freedom and free movement. Vijay has yet to issue a public statement regarding the divorce proceedings.
Divorce Petition Details and Allegations
The divorce petition outlines a series of serious accusations against Joseph Vijay. Sangeetha Sornalingam’s legal filing details that the alleged adulterous relationship began in 2021, causing her profound emotional distress and embarrassment for their two children, Jason Sanjay (25) and Divya Saasha (20). The petition asserts that Vijay maintained an ‘open association with the actress,’ including international travel and public appearances, despite Sangeetha’s pleas for the relationship to cease. Discussions to explore a ‘mutually honorable exit’ from their marriage reportedly took place as recently as November 2025, but ultimately failed to resolve the marital discord.
The couple, who married on August 25, 1999, in a ceremony blending Hindu and Christian traditions, had been considered a stable pair in the often tumultuous world of celebrity marriages. Their union, which began after Sangeetha, a Sri Lankan Tamil from London, met Vijay as an ardent fan, has now become the subject of intense public scrutiny. The legal proceedings are ongoing, with the outcome closely watched by fans, industry observers, and political analysts alike, given Vijay’s dual status as a superstar and a political leader.
Sangeetha Sornalingam: From Fan to Public Figure
Sangeetha Sornalingam, who has largely maintained a private life away from the public eye, is now at the center of a high-profile legal battle. Hailing from a Sri Lankan Tamil family settled in London, Sangeetha’s journey to becoming Vijay’s wife began after she was captivated by his performance in the 1996 film Poove Unakkaga. This led to a meeting in Chennai, which blossomed into friendship and eventually marriage in 1999. Unlike many celebrity spouses, Sangeetha chose to focus on family life, rarely giving interviews and maintaining a low public profile, a dedication recognized with the ‘Unheralded Commander’ award by Galatta Media in 2019.
Despite her preference for privacy, speculation about marital troubles surfaced in 2023 when her absence from several of Vijay’s high-profile events was noted. While these rumors were initially dismissed, the formal filing of the divorce petition has brought Sangeetha into the spotlight as a central figure in a drama that could significantly impact her husband’s career trajectory. Her steadfast support for Vijay over two decades, often behind the scenes, contrasts sharply with the current public allegations of neglect and infidelity.
Thalapathy Vijay’s Political Ambitions Under Scrutiny
Joseph Vijay’s entry into politics with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, marked a significant pivot in his career, leveraging his immense cinematic popularity into political capital. However, the divorce scandal introduces a formidable challenge to his carefully constructed public persona. For years, Vijay has cultivated an image as a moral, incorruptible hero, a devoted family man, and a social crusader, often mirroring his on-screen roles in blockbusters like Kaththi, Mersal, and Sarkar. This image, combining family values with a fight against corruption and social injustice, has been a cornerstone of his appeal, particularly among older voters who often value a leader’s perceived moral character.
Political analysts, including Sumanth C. Raman, have noted that Vijay’s appeal has been ‘partly devotional,’ with fans often blurring the lines between the artist and the human. A widely publicized divorce, especially one involving allegations of infidelity and cruelty, could disrupt this image and test the loyalty of his fan base. While younger voters, particularly Gen Z, who comprise a significant portion of Tamil Nadu’s electorate, may be less influenced by marital status and more by his anti-corruption and Tamil pride messaging, the timing of this scandal is delicate for his electorally untested party. Historical precedents of actor-politicians like M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa demonstrate that political careers can withstand personal controversies, but they often require careful image management and a strong narrative to refocus public attention on political achievements rather than personal life. The coming months will reveal if Vijay can navigate this personal drama while maintaining momentum for his political aspirations.
The divorce filing by Sangeetha Sornalingam, laden with serious allegations, places Joseph Vijay at a critical juncture where his personal life directly intersects with his public and political ambitions. The outcome of these legal proceedings will not only determine the future of his marriage but could also significantly shape the perception of his moral integrity, a factor that has historically played a pivotal role in the electoral success of actor-politicians in Tamil Nadu.