A brief interaction between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and an elderly woman during his Salem visit has attracted considerable attention online.
Vijay, who was visiting the region in connection with the Mettur Dam, met an elderly woman named Chellam at a roadside farmhouse. During their conversation, he reportedly took off his Christian Dior sunglasses and handed them to her as a gift.
The unusual gesture quickly became a talking point on social media, with many people also becoming curious about the luxury accessory’s price.
Dior Sunglasses Believed to Be Worth Around ₹46,000
Images and footage from the interaction have led to speculation that the sunglasses worn by Vijay could be the DiorTag SU Black Rectangular Sunglasses.
The corresponding model listed on Christian Dior’s US website carries a price of $490, which works out to roughly ₹46,450.
The sunglasses feature a narrow black acetate frame, blue lenses and blue temple tips. Silver-finish metal detailing and the Christian Dior signature add to the design.
The accessory is manufactured in Italy, and the product listing says its lenses offer 100% UVA/UVB protection.
It is worth noting that the exact model worn by Vijay has not been officially verified. The identification is based on visual similarities between the product and the sunglasses seen in the viral footage.
What Happened During Vijay’s Salem Visit?
Vijay was in Salem to oversee the opening of the Mettur Dam gates, through which water was released for Samba paddy cultivation in the Cauvery Delta.
Following an inspection of the power station, he reportedly visited a farmhouse located along the roadside and interacted with the people there.
Among those he met was Chellam, an elderly woman who later described her meeting with the Chief Minister.
According to her account, Vijay first asked whether she had eaten. She reportedly told him that she had been waiting to see him and therefore had not eaten.
The two then walked together as Vijay asked her about her name and health.
Elderly Woman Initially Hesitated to Take the Gift
The interaction took an unexpected turn when Vijay removed his Dior sunglasses and offered them to Chellam.
She was reportedly reluctant to accept them at first, but Vijay encouraged her to take the pair.
Speaking about the encounter afterwards, Chellam said she was extremely happy to meet him and remarked that he looked just as he did in his films.
She also made an emotional statement, saying she would protect and support him if anyone ever tried to hurt him.
Vijay Asked Chellam to Eat
The elderly woman also recalled that Vijay encouraged her to have food.
Because she was overwhelmed by the meeting, she reportedly did not get around to explaining some of the difficulties she faces.
These reportedly include being unable to carry out physically demanding work because of her age, having lost her ration card and relying on a small monthly allowance.
Dhotis and Sarees Also Distributed
During the visit, Vijay reportedly distributed dhotis and sarees to the family at the farmhouse.
He also spoke with the family about farming and local agricultural concerns.
While the visit covered several issues connected to the region, the moment involving the Dior sunglasses quickly emerged as the most widely shared part of the trip.
Why the Gesture Is Getting Attention
The incident has generated interest for two reasons: the personal nature of Vijay’s interaction with the elderly woman and the luxury price associated with the sunglasses.
If the pair seen in the video is indeed the DiorTag SU model, its listed US price is around $490 (approximately ₹46,450). However, the exact model should be considered unconfirmed unless officially identified.
