From Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to ‘Amma’s boy’: Why sakkarai pongal still rules his heart

From action-packed film sets to the dance floor and now the political stage, 'Thalapathy' Vijay continues to make waves wherever he goes. Yet in his personal life, he is known for his simplicity and soft-spoken nature. Now, as Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, he has added a new chapter to a journey that has taken him from cinema superstardom to the top political office in Tamil Nadu.

Even at 51, his energy and physical fitness continue to impress his fans, a discipline attributed to his strict diet and highly regulated lifestyle. However, there is one notable exception to this discipline: the sweets prepared by his mother, Shoba Chandrasekhar. On a television talk show, Vijay had also revealed that he is a huge fan of mutton biryani, but when it comes to comfort food, his mother’s sakkarai pongal appears unmatched.

Amid his demanding shooting schedules, the special delicacies she lovingly sends to his film locations in Chennai have become an inseparable part of his routine and this affectionate mother-son bond has now become a talking point.

Home-cooked love, delivered to set
Actor Vijay’s commitment to maintaining his physique for films is widely admired. According to his trainer Naresh Kumar, who worked with the actor on projects such as Master, Vijay is highly disciplined when it comes to his diet, carefully avoiding oily foods and excessive sugar. But all of that discipline seems to soften in the face of his mother’s affection.

Whenever shoots are scheduled in Chennai or nearby areas, a tiffin box regularly makes its way to his caravan. Inside it is sakkarai pongal, prepared by his mother, Shoba Chandrasekhar. She herself revealed this detail during a cookery show, adding that her son has a special fondness for sweets and can never refuse this traditional dessert made by her.

That personal story has gained fresh attention after Vijay’s political rise. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief Vijay took oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at a grand ceremony held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai. The TVK founder-chief was appointed as chief minister after his party secured key support to cross the magic mark of 118 seats in the Assembly, ending days of uncertainty over government formation.

What is Sakkarai Pongal?
Sakkarai Pongal is a delicacy deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu. It is a major highlight of the harvest festival, Thai Pongal. Prepared with rice, moong dal, jaggery and ghee, this dish goes beyond being a simple sweet, standing instead as a symbol of joy and prosperity.

Want to try it out yourself? Check out this recipe:
Ingredients
½ cup raw rice
¼ cup split green gram (moong dal)
1 to 1.5 cups jaggery (as per sweetness preference)
3 cups water
¼ cup milk
4-5 tablespoons ghee
8-10 cashews
1 tablespoon raisins
½ teaspoon cardamom powder

Preparation

First, roast the moong dal on a low flame until it turns slightly golden. This enhances the aroma of the Pongal. Wash the roasted dal and rice thoroughly, then cook them in a pressure cooker with 3 cups of water and 1/4 cup of milk. Allow 4–5 whistles until the rice and dal are well cooked and soft.

In another pan, melt the jaggery with a little water. Strain the mixture, if necessary, to remove any impurities. Add the jaggery syrup to the cooked rice and dal mixture. Stir well and cook on a low flame for 5–7 minutes until everything blends smoothly. Add cardamom powder and mix well. Stir in one tablespoon of ghee.

In a separate small pan, heat the ghee and roast the cashews and raisins until they turn golden. Add them to the Pongal and mix well. Delicious Sakkarai Pongal is now ready to be served!

Lessons of love
Even after rising to superstardom, Vijay continues to hold close to his roots and the cherished culinary touch of his mother. That, perhaps, is the most powerful message in this story. No matter how many costly dishes are available on set, the satisfaction offered by that single tiffin box of Pongal from home is something nothing else can replicate.