In a development that has sent shockwaves through both the Tamil film industry and the burgeoning political landscape of Tamil Nadu, Sangeetha Sornalingam has officially moved the court to dissolve her 27-year marriage to superstar-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay.
The petition, filed at the Chengalpattu Family Court on February 27, 2026, marks the first formal legal step in what had been years of quiet speculation. For fans who viewed the couple as a pillar of stability in the volatile world of cinema, the news serves as a somber reality check.
According to the legal documents, the primary driver for the separation is a series of allegations regarding infidelity. Sangeetha has sought a divorce under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, citing grounds of adultery and mental cruelty.
The petition outlines a specific timeline that began in April 2021, when Sangeetha allegedly discovered that Vijay was involved in an “adulterous relationship with a female actor.” While the name of the actress remains withheld in the public filing, the claims are detailed and biting:
- Initial Discovery: Sangeetha found evidence of the relationship in 2021.
- Broken Assurances: The petition claims that despite Vijay’s explicit promises to end the association, the relationship continued without remorse.
- Public Humiliation: Sangeetha alleged that the actress frequently shared social media posts of their outings together—posts that Vijay reportedly neither denied nor objected to, causing significant embarrassment to the family.
The split is particularly poignant given the couple’s history. Vijay and Sangeetha married in August 1999 in a ceremony that combined both Hindu and Christian traditions.
Their story began like a movie script: Sangeetha, the daughter of a prominent UK-based industrialist, was a devoted fan who travelled to Chennai specifically to meet Vijay after the success of Poove Unakkaga. Impressed by her simplicity, Vijay eventually proposed. Over the next two decades, they raised two children—Jason Sanjay, who is now carving his own path as a director, and Divya Shasha, a budding athlete.
The matter is currently before the District Court, and the legal machinery is already in motion. The court has reportedly issued a notice directing Vijay to appear in person on April 20, 2026, for the next hearing.
Sangeetha has also reportedly sought permanent alimony commensurate with Vijay’s stature and income, as well as the right to reside in their matrimonial home in Neelankarai.
This personal crisis comes at a delicate time for Vijay. As the founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the actor is preparing for his first major electoral battle in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections. Historically, the private lives of political leaders in the state have often been used as leverage by opposition parties.
Simultaneously, his final film, Jana Nayagan, remains embroiled in a certification battle with the Censor Board. The combined weight of a legal battle at home and a political struggle in the state marks the most challenging phase of the superstar’s 30-year career.
As of this morning, Vijay has not issued an official statement. Sources close to the actor suggest that he is currently focusing on his legal counsel and his children’s well-being. Sangeetha, who has largely maintained a low profile throughout their marriage, has also remained silent outside of the legal filings.
For the millions of “Thalapathy” followers, the hope for an amicable resolution remains, though the detailed nature of the petition suggests that the bridge may have already been burned.
