The Tamil cinema world and political landscape in South India are in the midst of a major personal story involving one of its biggest stars. Vijay, the beloved actor-politician and leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is facing a legal separation after nearly 27 years of marriage as his wife, Sangeetha Sornalingam, filed for divorce this week in a family court in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu.
For decades, Vijay’s personal life has been almost entirely private. He married Sangeetha in August 1999, after their relationship blossomed from an earlier connection when she travelled from the United Kingdom to meet him as a fan. The couple built a family and raised two children — a son, Jason Sanjay, and a daughter, Divya Saasha — while steering clear of headlines about their personal life.
But in her petition filed in late February 2026, Sangeetha made details of their relationship public, marking a dramatic shift from that long-held privacy. The divorce plea comes under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, which allows couples to seek dissolution of marriage on grounds including adultery and mental cruelty.
Allegations of Extramarital Relationship
At the heart of Sangeetha’s petition is a serious allegation: she claims that Vijay was involved in an extramarital relationship with a female actress. According to the legal filing, Sangeetha alleges she first became aware of the relationship in April 2021, and that despite assurances the affair would end, it continued without any sign of remorse from Vijay.
The petition asserts that this alleged ongoing relationship caused Sangeetha “deep emotional pain and mental suffering” and amounted to a betrayal of trust. It further claims that Vijay distanced himself emotionally from marital life, excluded her from his personal and professional engagements, and even allowed social media posts involving the alleged actress to continue without objection — acts she says led to repeated humiliation for her and their children.
Beyond the alleged affair, the petition also frames Sangeetha’s case around mental cruelty and emotional neglect, stating that repeated efforts to resolve the marital issues through legal counsel and personal discussion, spanning years, failed to produce any solution or reconciliation.
Legal and Personal Dimensions
The divorce filing is now officially in the hands of the Chengalpattu Family Court, where it will proceed through legal hearings. There is no immediate indication of when a final decision might come, but court procedures under the Special Marriage Act can be lengthy, especially in high-profile cases involving contested grounds such as those described by Sangeetha.
In her plea, Sangeetha has also sought broader legal relief, including permanent alimony, the right to reside in the matrimonial home or equivalent accommodation, and a request that proceedings be conducted in camera to ensure privacy and protection for all parties involved.
As of now, neither Vijay nor Sangeetha has issued a public statement about the legal proceedings. Fans and the wider public are watching closely, and neither side has confirmed or denied the specific allegations in media interviews.
Public Reaction and Broader Context
The news has shocked many fans who viewed Vijay and Sangeetha as a quiet yet strong couple amid the spotlight of cinema and politics. Vijay’s acting career has spanned decades, with blockbuster films and millions of fans, while his recent political role has expanded his public presence beyond films. That combination has intensified interest in his personal life and amplified reactions across social media.
Analysts say the case highlights a tension many public figures face: balancing a celebrated career with very personal struggles far from the public eye. For years, Vijay avoided media attention on his family, only making rare public appearances with Sangeetha. But this divorce petition represents one of the first times their private relationship has been widely discussed in the press.
The Road Ahead
At this stage, the divorce case is in its early legal phase. The court will examine the evidence, hear arguments from both sides, and determine whether the grounds laid out by Sangeetha meet the legal criteria for dissolving the marriage.
For now, what is clear from multiple reports is that Sangeetha’s filing has set in motion a formal separation. Whether the couple will reach an out-of-court settlement or see a prolonged legal battle remains to be seen. In either case, this development marks a significant and emotional turn in the life of one of South India’s most beloved film stars and his family.
Satyakam is a seasoned professional content writer with over 15 years of experience in creating high-quality, research-driven content for digital platforms. He specialises in business, finance, banking, law, technology, and informational blogs.
