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Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar known professionally as Vijay, is an Indian film actor, occasional playback singer and philanthropist who works primarily in Tamil cinema. Vijay is referred to by the media as Thalapathy (Knight).

Vijay was born to S.A. Chandrasekhar and Shoba Chandrasekhar in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Vijay initially appeared as a child actor in special appearances under his father directed films, starting with Vetri (1984) to Ithu Engal Neethi (1988). He made his debut under his father direction as a teen-age lead actor in Naalaya Theerpu (1992) but his first successful film as lead actor was Poove Unakkaga (1996), which was directed by Vikraman. To date, he has acted in 61 movies as a lead actor and has won three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, seven Vijay Awards and two Edison Awards. Vijay is also a playback singer and has sung a few songs for his films.

Early life

Vijay was born on 22 June 1974 as Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar in Madras (now Chennai). His father S. A. Chandrasekhar is a Tamil film director and his mother Shoba Chandrasekhar is a playback singer and carnatic vocalist. He had a sister Vidhya, who died when she was two years old. Vidhya's death affected Vijay very much. It has been said by his mother that Vijay, who was very talkative, naughty and hyperactive as a child, became silent after Vidhya's death. Vidhya Chandrasekhar's story is depicted in the 2005 film Sukran, where Vijay played an extended cameo. He currently engages in social service in the name of Vidhya. His cousin Vikranth is also a film actor, while his uncle S. N. Surendar is a playback singer and voice actor.

Vijay spent his entire childhood in Chennai. He did his schooling initially at Fathima Matriculation Higher Secondary School at Kodambakkam and later joined Balalok Matriculation Higher Secondary School at Virugambakkam and went on to pursue a degree in Visual Communications from Loyola College, though he would eventually drop out as he was more interested in pursuing acting.

Vijay married his ardent fan a Hindu London-based Sri Lankan Tamil, Sangeetha Sornalingam, on 25 August 1999 in both Hindu and Christian tradition. They have two children, a son Jason Sanjay born in 2000 in London and a daughter Divya Shasha born in 2005 in Chennai. Jason Sanjay made a cameo appearance with his father in Vettaikaaran (2009) and Divya Shasha portrayed a small role as her father's pre-teen daughter in Theri (2016).

Film career

1984–1988

At the age of ten, Vijay started his film career as a child actor in film Vetri (1984) and then performed as child actor in films such as Kudumbam (1984), Vasantha Raagam (1986), Sattam Oru Vilayaattu (1987), Ithu Engal Neethi (1988). He also performed as child actor in Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985 film) co-starring Rajnikanth as lead actor.

1992–1996

After appearing as child artist in the films directed by his father, Vijay made his acting debut as lead actor under the age of eighteen with Naalaiya Theerpu (1992). Vijay appeared alongside Vijayakanth in Sendhoorapandi (1993), which did well at the box office. In 1994, he appeared in Rasigan, which became his first successful venture. This was the first film in which Vijay was credited with the prefix "Ilaya Thalapathy" (young commander-in-chief), an epithet by which he became popularly known among fans and the media for the rest of his career. He had lead roles in films such as Deva and Rajavin Parvaiyile, where in the latter he co-starred with actor Ajith Kumar. He then acted in the romantic comedy Vishnu and romantic tragedy Chandralekha later. In early 1995, he starred in Coimbatore Mappillai a romantic comedy film.

1996–2003

In 1996, Vijay performed in the Vikraman-directed Poove Unakkaga, which became a most successful venture along with breakthrough in Vijay's career and made him a recognizable star. Vijay's tenth film Vasantha Vasal was followed by the action films Maanbumigu Maanavan and Selva and the romantic film Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen. In 1997, Vijay acted in Love Today and Once More, where he co-starred with the Tamil film actor Sivaji Ganesan and actress Simran, and in the Mani Ratnam-produced movie Nerukku Ner, directed by Vasanth. Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, directed by Fazil, earned Vijay a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor. In 1998, Vijay worked in the movies Ninaithen Vandhai, Priyamudan and Nilaave Vaa. In 1999, Vijay acted in Thulladha Manamum Thullum, with Simran, which earned Vijay a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film. This was followed by Endrendrum Kadhal, Nenjinile and the K.S.Ravikumar-directed Minsara Kanna.

From the start of the new millennium, Vijay began to commit to entertaining ventures, which marked a change in trend. In 2000, he performed in Kannukkul Nilavu, and two romantic movies Kushi and Priyamanavale. His 2001 comedy-drama film Friends was directed by Siddique and featured him in the leading role alongside Suriya. Vijay also performed in Badri, an action film remake of the Telugu film Thammudu, and the romantic movie Shahjahan. In 2002, he starred in the action film Thamizhan alongside Priyanka Chopra, making her acting debut before establishing herself as a leading Bollywood actress. Later, he featured in the romantic film Youth and the action film Bagavathi. Vijay began 2003 with the films Vaseegara and Pudhiya Geethai.

2003–2010

In late 2003, Vijay starred in action-romance flick Thirumalai, co-starring Jyothika, directed by debutant Ramana and produced by K.Balachander's Kavithalaya Productions, which featured him in a different way. Thirumalai was considered a turning point in Vijay's career. Udhaya, which began filming in 2002, but was delayed, was finally released in early 2004. Ghilli, a remake of the Telugu film Okkadu was released next in 2004, and completed 200 days in theatres in Tamil Nadu. Directed by S. Dharani and produced by A. M. Rathnam, it co-starred Trisha and Prakash Raj.

It was followed by Madhurey, directed by Ramana Madhesh. In 2005, he starred in the Perarasu-directed action film Thirupaachi, followed by a guest appearance in Sukran, the romantic comedy Sachien, co-starring Genelia D'Souza, directed by John Mahendran, and Sivakasi, starring Asin, again directed by Perarasu. Vijay's next film Aadhi, was produced by his father S. A. Chandrasekhar and directed by Ramana, and was released in 2006. In early 2007, Vijay starred in the gangster film Pokkiri, a remake of the Telugu film of the same name. Directed by Prabhu Deva, it became the third highest grossing Tamil film of 2007. Vijay's character in the film, a reprisal of Mahesh Babu's role in the original, was well received by critics.

In late 2007, Vijay starred in the romantic psychological thriller film Azhagiya Tamil Magan, directed by Bharathan, in which he played the roles as both the antagonist and protagonist. The film was only a moderate success at the box office. In 2008, he starred in the action film Kuruvi, again under Dharani's direction, and produced by Red Giant Movies. The year 2009 commenced with the action film Villu, in which Vijay teamed up with Prabhu Deva (from Pokkiri). His next film Vettaikaaran, directed by Babusivan and produced by AVM Productions and distributed by Sun Pictures became one of the highest grossing Tamil film of 2009. In 2010, he acted in film Sura, also distributed by Sun Pictures.

2011–2016

In early 2011, Vijay joined up with director Siddique again, for the romantic comedy Kaavalan, a Tamil remake of the Malayalam film Bodyguard (also co-starring Asin). It received positive responses from both viewers and critics and was a box office hit. The movie was screened at the Shanghai International Film Festival in China. During Diwali the same year, his next film, the action film Velayudham, directed by M. Raja and produced by Venu Ravichandran was released. Velayudham became one of the top-grossing films of 2011.

Vijay's next release was Nanban, the Tamil remake of the Bollywood film 3 Idiots, where he played the role which was played by Aamir Khan in the original. Directed by S. Shankar, it was released during the Pongal weekend of 2012 and emerged a major financial success. Vijay's performance in the film was praised by critics, including leading Indian actor Kamal Haasan. Nanban went on to complete 100 days theatrical run. He made a special appearance in the 2012 Bollywood film Rowdy Rathore, starring Akshay Kumar and directed by Prabhu Deva.

Vijay's next film, the action thriller Thuppakki, directed by A. R. Murugadoss and produced by S. Dhanu, was released on Diwali 2012 to mostly positive reviews. The film became the third Tamil film to enter the ₹1 billion (US$12 million) club after Sivaji (2007) and Enthiran (2010). His next film Thalaivaa, directed by A. L. Vijay, was released on 9 August 2013 worldwide and a delayed release in Tamil Nadu. His next film Jilla, co-starring Kajal Aggarwal and Mohanlal, and directed by R. T. Neason, was released on a Pongal weekend in 2014 ended up as a box office hit.

Vijay again worked with AR Murugadoss in the action thriller Kaththi, co-starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Neil Nitin Mukesh and produced by Ayngaran International, which was released on Diwali 2014 to mostly positive reviews. It was the highest grossing Tamil film of 2014. In 2015, the fantasy film Puli was released. His next film, the action-thriller Theri, directed by Atlee, co-starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Amy Jackson and Produced by S. Dhanu, was released in April 2016 to positive reviews.

2017–present

"I've given hits and blockbusters but what I've truly earned is my fans, Ignore all negativity. The two things that decide a person's fate are: his determination when he has nothing, and his attitude when he has everything."

His next film Bairavaa, directed by Bharathan, co-starring Keerthi Suresh and produced by Vijaya Productions was released in January 2017. His next film, the action-thriller Mersal directed by Atlee, co-starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kajal Aggarwal and Nithya Menen and produced by Sri Thenandal Films was released in late 2017. Mersal became the highest-grossing film of Vijay's career, and the first of his films to gross over ₹200 crore. His next movie currently referred as Vijay62 is set to be directed by A R Murugadoss and produced by Sun Pictures.

Bollywood presence

"Vijay has given several blockbuster films. And I've watched few of those films. Although I want Vijay to make 'good' films like Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan in Hindi. I know him personally. He has the potential. It's just my wish."

Vijay's first cameo bollywood appearance in Chinta chinta song from hindi film Rowdy Rathore co-starring Akshay Kumar and Prabhu deva was well received by hindi audience. Vijay and Shah rukh khan have clashed five times in a row with their respective films at the worldwide boxoffice. Vijay's varalam va bairavaa song is played in Ajay Devgan's hindi film Golmaal Again during a fight sequence as an tribute to the actor. Most of his tamil films are dubbed into hindi by Goldmines Telefilms and telecasted in Sony Max hindi tv channel. Vijay's film Mersal gave tough competition to hindi films in terms of collecting more than Golmaal Again and Secret Superstar in international markets.

Tollywood recognition and success

Vijay's films are dubbed into Telugu and most of them have turned out to be successful ventures such as Snehitudu, Thuppakki, Jilla, Policeodu, Agent Bairavaa and Adirindhi. Actor Chiranjeevi thanked Vijay as the latter, was more keen on his comeback film and helped him to get the remake rights of Tamil blockbuster film Kaththi which was remade in Telugu as Khaidi no.150 with Chiranjeevi in the lead. Actor Junior NTR applauded Vijay as his favorite dancer in Jai Lava Kusa promotional event that he loves Vijay’s dance steps and had even copied the latter’s moves from the song, Vasantha Mullai for his own film, Kantri. Actor Mahesh babu in an interview expressed his interest working with Vijay. Adhirindhi is the biggest opening in Vijay's career as far as Andhra Pradesh and Telugana states are concerned as it turned out to be a big hit.

In the media and other works

Vijay has been included several times in the Indian edition of the Forbes Celebrity 100 list, based on the income and popularity of Indian celebrities. In 2012 he was ranked #28, in 2013, he was ranked #49, in 2014, he held the #41 slot, and in 2016, he was ranked #61.

Brand endorsement

In 2002, Vijay appeared as Coca-Cola's brand ambassador in Tamil Nadu. He acted in a variety of South Indian Coca-Cola advertisements, along with Katrina Kaif. He has been the ambassador for Sunfeast since 2005. In 2008, Vijay was signed up as an ambassador for the Indian Premier League cricket team Chennai Super Kings, along with actress Nayanthara. In January 2009, Vijay was approached to be the brand ambassador for Coca-Cola products. As of August 2010, Vijay was signed by Jos Alukkas as their brand ambassador for Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Jos Alukkas advertisement featured Vijay and his mother Shoba. Vijay also appeared in Tata Docomo advertisement.

Philanthropy

Vijay started a social welfare organisation Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (Vijay People Organization), which was officially launched at Pudukottai on 26 July 2009. It is responsible for much of his philanthropic work. After Cyclone Thane, his Makkal Mandram administrators arranged for a relief camp at Kammiyampettai, Cuddalore where the star provided rice to the affected people. Cuddalore was the worst affected area in flooding and Vijay reached out to help these people by rendering some assistance. The area in which the camp was built soon wore a festive look with thousands of people gathering to catch a glimpse of their favorite star. Vijay has appeared along with Suriya, R. Madhavan and Jyothika in a short commercial video about child poverty, labour and lack of education, titled Herova? Zerova? in an effort to eliminate children dropping out of school at an early age, made in association with Vishnuvardhan Induri, the founder of CCL and the Ministry of Education of Tamil Nadu.. Vijay Educational Awards 2012 was conducted at JS Kalyana Mandapam in Chennai on 8 July 2012 by his Vijay Makkal Iyakkam organisation to honour the students who topped in 2012 SSLC and 12th board exams and the awards were distributed by Vijay. On his birthday, 22 June 2007 Vijay presented golden rings to the newborn babies at the Egmore Government General Hospital. Vijay helped a daughter of a tea stall owner named Fathima who secured good marks in twelfth by getting her admission in a private college in Kodambakkam.

Vijay received an honorary doctorate from the M.G.R Educational and Research Institute (Dr. M.G.R University) in 2007 for his contributions to the cause of the poor and downtrodden through social welfare activities and to honour Vijay's achievement in the film industry.

Discography

Filmography

Awards

References

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External links

• Vijay at IMDb
• Vijay at Rotten Tomatoes
• Vijay on Facebook

• Living people
• 21st-century Indian male actors
• 20th-century Indian male actors
• Indian male film actors
• Loyola College, Chennai alumni
• Male actors in Tamil cinema
• Male actors from Chennai
• Tamil male actors
• Indian Tamil people
• Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners
• Tamil playback singers
• Recipients of the Kalaimamani Award
• 1974 births
• Indian film actors working since their childhood