India, Sept. 13 -- Two men walked towards each other on the tarmac of the iconic Silverstone Circuit under the overcast skies of Northamptonshire on Saturday. One wore a crisp brownish jacket; the other a fireproof racing suit. This was a blockbuster act by two men hailed as "Thalapathy" and "Thala" by their cinema fans.

Within seconds, the "Thalapathy," Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay in brownish jacket, broke into a lighthearted jog, spreading his arms wide to pull actor-racer Ajith Kumar into a warm, lingering hug. And the video of their warm embrace went viral, gladdening the hearts of their fans, often known for sparring online.

For about three decades, their names - Thalapathy (Commander) and Thala (boss)- were uttered in...