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)
2024
- The Greatest of All Time as Gandhi / Jeevan
2022
- Beast as Veera Raghavan
- Love Today ... (Thanks)
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
- Nanban as Panchavan 'Pari' Pariventhan / Kosaksi 'Pappu' Pasapugazh
- Rowdy Rathore as Self
- Thuppakki as Jagadish
2011
- Kaavalan as Bhoominathan
- Velayudham as Velayudham
2010
- Sura as Sura
2009
- Vettaikaaran as Ravi
- Villu as Pugazh and Major Saravanan
2007
- Pokkiri as Tamizh
- Azhagiya Tamil Magan as Guru / Prasad
2006
- Aathi as Aathi
2005
- Sachein as Sachin
- Sivakasi as Sivakasi / Muthappa
- Thirupaachi as Sivagiri
- Sukran as Sukran
2003
- Vaseegara as Bhoopathy
- Thirumalai as Thirumalai
- Puthiya Geethai as Sarathy
2000
- Kushi as Shiva
- Kannukkul Nilavu as Gautham Prabhakar
- Priyamaanavale as Vijay Vishwanathan
1999
- Thulladha Manamum Thullum as Kutty
- Minsara Kanna as Kannan
- Endrendrum Kadhal as Vijay
- Nenjinile as Karunkaran
1998
- Ninaithen Vandhai as Gokula Krishnan Gounder (Gokul)
- Priyamudan as Vasanth
- Nilaave Vaa as Siluvai
- Velai ... (Playback Singer)
1997
- Once More as Vijay
- Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen as Kannan
- Nerrukku Ner as Vijay
- Kadhalukku Mariyaadai as Jeevanandhan
- Love Today as Ganesh
1996
- Coimbatore Mappillai as Balu
- Poove Unakkaga as Raja
- Maanbumigu Maanavan as Siva
- Selva as Selva
- Vasantha Vaasal
1995
- Vishnu as Vishnu
- Deva as Deva
- Chandralekha as Rahim
- Rajavin Parvaiyile as Raja
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)