Vijay
Born: 1974-06-22 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Known For: Acting
Biography
Vijay (born June 22, 1974), credited at birth as Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, is an Indian actor, playback singer, and politician who became one of the most prominent stars in Tamil cinema. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he established himself as one of the industry’s most bankable actors, known for his strong box office pull, mass appeal, dance performances, and versatility across action, comedy, romance, and drama. He rose to prominence with a string of commercially successful films including Poove Unakkaga (1996), Ghilli (2004), Pokkiri (2007), Thuppakki (2012), Mersal (2017), Sarkar (2018), Master (2021), Leo (2023). His films often blend commercial entertainment with social and political themes, further strengthening his popularity among audiences. Popularly known by the honorific “Thalapathy” (“Commander”), Vijay built a massive fan following in India and internationally. In 2024, Vijay launched his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), marking his transition from cinema to public life. Following his announced retirement from acting after his final film Jana Nayagan (2026), he contested the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, leading TVK in its first electoral outing. In a historic debut, TVK emerged as a major political force, and Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, 2026, becoming one of the few Indian film stars to successfully transition into top-level politics.
Filmography
2026
- Karuppu ... (Thanks)
- Jana Nayagan as Thalapathy Vetri Kondan 'Vetri'
2024
- The Greatest of All Time as Gandhi / Jeevan
2022
- Love Today ... (Thanks)
- Beast as Veera Raghavan
2021
- Master as John 'JD' Durairaj
2019
- Bigil as Michael 'Bigil' Rayappan / Rayappan
2018
- Sarkar as Sundar Ramasamy
2016
- Theri as Vijay Kumar / Joseph Kuruvilla
2015
- Puli as Marudheeran / Pulivendhan
2013
- Thalaivaa as Vishwa Bhai
2012
- Rowdy Rathore as Self
- Nanban as Panchavan 'Pari' Pariventhan / Kosaksi 'Pappu' Pasapugazh
- Thuppakki as Jagadish
2011
- Kaavalan as Bhoominathan
- Velayudham as Velayudham
2010
- Sura as Sura
2009
- Villu as Pugazh and Major Saravanan
- Vettaikaaran as 'Police' Ravi
2007
- Azhagiya Tamil Magan as Guru / Prasad
- Pokkiri as Tamizh
2006
- Aathi as Aathi
2005
- Sukran as Sukran
- Thirupaachi as Sivagiri
- Sachein as Sachin
- Sivakasi as Sivakasi / Muthappa
2003
- Vaseegara as Bhoopathy
- Puthiya Geethai as Sarathy
- Thirumalai as Thirumalai
2000
- Kushi as Shiva
- Priyamaanavale as Vijay Vishwanathan
- Kannukkul Nilavu as Gautham Prabhakar
1999
- Minsara Kanna as Kannan
- Thulladha Manamum Thullum as Kutty
- Nenjinile as Karunkaran
- Endrendrum Kadhal as Vijay
1998
- Velai ... (Playback Singer)
- Ninaithen Vandhai as Gokula Krishnan Gounder (Gokul)
- Nilaave Vaa as Siluvai
- Priyamudan as Vasanth
1997
- Nerrukku Ner as Vijay
- Kadhalukku Mariyaadai as Jeevanandhan
- Once More as Vijay
- Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen as Kannan
- Love Today as Ganesh
1996
- Maanbumigu Maanavan as Siva
- Poove Unakkaga as Raja
- Vasantha Vaasal
- Selva as Selva
- Coimbatore Mappillai as Balu
1995
- Rajavin Parvaiyile as Raja
- Deva as Deva
- Chandralekha as Rahim
- Vishnu as Vishnu
1994
- Rasigan as Vijay
1993
- Sendhoorapandi as Vijay
1992
- Naalaiya Theerpu as Vijay
- Innisai Mazhai ... (Producer)
1988
- Ithu Engal Neethi as Child Artist
1985
- Naan Sigappu Manithan as Child Artist (Uncredited Role)
1984
- Vetri as Child Artist (Uncredited Role)