Vijay (actor)
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, popularly known as Vijay, was born on June 22, 1974, in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu. He is an Indian actor and playback singer primarily recognized for his work in Tamil cinema. With a career spanning over three decades, Vijay has acted in 68 films, becoming one of the highest-paid actors in India and a massive commercial success in the Tamil film industry. Many of his films have been among the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time. He is often referred to as “Thalapathy” (commander) by his fans, highlighting his significant popularity.
Vijay was born into a family with deep roots in the film industry. His father, S. A. Chandrasekhar, is a prominent Tamil film director, and his mother, Shoba Chandrasekhar, is a playback singer and vocalist. Despite his father being of Christian descent and his mother a Hindu, Vijay grew up in a diverse cultural environment. He also experienced personal loss early in life with the death of his sister, Vidhya, at the young age of two.
Vijay’s career in films began when he was just a child, appearing in his father’s film Vetri (1984). After a few child roles, he transitioned to adult roles, debuting as the lead actor in Naalaiya Theerpu (1992) at the age of 18. His early career saw him rise to stardom with popular films such as Poove Unakkaga (1996), Love Today (1997), Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997), Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999), and Kushi (2000). His stellar performance in Kadhalukku Mariyadhai earned him the Kalaimaamani award from the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1998.
Vijay’s breakthrough came with Ghilli in 2004, a massive success that was the first Tamil film to gross over ₹50 crore. This success was followed by more hits such as Thirupaachi (2005) and Pokkiri (2007), solidifying his position as one of the top commercial stars in Tamil cinema. Despite facing periods of moderate success, Vijay’s career flourished in the 2010s, with hit films like Thuppakki (2012), Kaththi (2014), Mersal (2017), Sarkar (2018), Master (2021), and Leo (2023). His most recent film, The Greatest of All Time (2024), is set to be his penultimate project before his announced retirement from films.
In February 2024, Vijay made a significant announcement, revealing his decision to retire from acting and enter politics. He launched his own political party, named Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
Early Life and Education: Vijay’s early years were shaped by his parents’ careers in the arts. He received his early education at Fathima School in Kodambakkam and later at Balalok School in Virugambakkam. He then pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication from Loyola College, Chennai.
Personal Life: Vijay married Sangeetha, a Sri Lankan Tamil, on August 25, 1999. The couple has two children: a son, Sanjay, who made a brief appearance with Vijay in Vettaikaaran, and a daughter, Divya, who appeared alongside her father in Theri.
Vijay’s journey from a child actor to one of the most iconic stars in Tamil cinema is a testament to his versatility and dedication to his craft.