Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar (born 22 June 1974), known professionally as Vijay, is an Indian actor and playback singer who works in Tamil cinema. In a career spanning in just over 3 decades, Vijay has acted in over 65 films and is one of the most commercially successful actors in Tamil cinema with multiple films amongst the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time and is amongst the highest paid actors in India.
Born in Madras to director S. A. Chandrasekhar, Vijay made his debut as a child actor in the Tamil film Vetri (1984). After a view roles as a child actor in his father’s films, he played his first lead role in the film Naalaiya Theerpu (1992) at the age of 18. Vijay continued doing lead roles for the next few years with hat-trick results, notable films amongst them included Poove Unakkaga, Love Today, Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, Thulladha Manamum Thullum and Kushi. In 1998, he was awarded Kalaimaamani by the Government of Tamil Nadu
In 2004, he starred in Ghilli, which became the first Tamil film to gross over ₹50 crore and with subsequent success of Thirupaachi and Pokkiri later, he established himself as one of the leading and commercially successful actors in Tamil cinema. Following a period of moderate success, Vijay acted in various critically and commercially successful films starting in the late 2010s including Thuppakki, Kaththi and Sarkar. He has won several awards as an actor.
Referred to as "Thalapathy" (transl. commander), Vijay has a significant fan following. In February 2024, Vijay announced his retirement from films and his entry into politics with the launch of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam
He was featured in Eastern Eye top celebrities in Asia, and he is the only Tamil actor to feature among Bollywood actors in the list in 2023.[1]
Vijay was born as Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar on 22 June 1974 in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu.[2][3] His father, S. A. Chandrasekhar, is a film director and his mother, Shoba Chandrasekhar is a playback singer and vocalist.[4] His father is of Christian descent and his mother is a Hindu.[5][6] Vijay had a sister, Vidhya, who died when she was two years old.[7] Vijay did his schooling initially at Fathima school, Kodambakkam and later at Balalok school, Virugambakkam.[8][9] He pursued a bachelor degree in visual communication from Loyola College.[10]
In 2009, Vijay launched his fan club Vijay Makkal Iyakkam.[101][102] The organization supported the AIADMK alliance in the 2011 assembly elections.[103] The fan club organization contested in the local body elections in Tamil Nadu in October 2021, securing victory in 115 out of the 169 contested seats.[104] On 2 February 2024, Vijay announced the launch of his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.[105][106] Political analysts suggested that, the TVK party might undergo its expansion to other states of India including North in the near future.[107] Vijay deemed the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 passed by the BJP government as unacceptable as it will disrupt the social religious harmony of the nation.[108]
Vijay married Sangeetha, a Sri Lankan Tamil on 25 August 1999.[109][110] They have two children: a son Sanjay who briefly appeared alongside his father in Vettaikaaran, and a daughter Divya who appeared in her father's Theri.[111][112]
As of 2021, Vijay's net worth is over ₹420 crore.[113] Vijay earned a ₹100 crore salary for Beast and also earned an estimated ₹120 crore—₹150 crore for Varisu.[114][115] In 2023, he reportedly received a ₹200 crore salary, becoming one of the top paid actors in India.[116] On 5 February 2020, the Income Tax Department raided Vijay's residence in Chennai on potential tax evasion and his investments in immovable properties.[117][118] Later, the officials stated that nothing significant was found during the raid.[119] On 13 July 2021, the Madras High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by Vijay in 2012 seeking exemption of the Entry Tax for his Rolls-Royce Ghost car that was imported from the United Kingdom and imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh.[120] On 27 July 2021, a two-judge bench of Madras High court stayed the earlier order.[121] On 25 January 2022, the court dismissed the critical statements made by the earlier judge and on 15 July 2022, the court declared that no fine shall be imposed.[122][123][124]
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Vijay In 1998, Vijay was awarded the Kalaimaamani by the Government of Tamil Nadu and Vijay received an honorary doctorate from the Dr. M.G.R. Educational Institute for of his achievements in the film industry in 2007.[125] Vijay was awarded the Best International Actor of 2018 in the United Kingdom for his role in Mersal.[126] He has received numerous other awards and accolades for his acting.[127][128]
News 18 describes Vijay as a "versatile actor" and a "fantastic playback singer, dancer and philanthropist".[129][130] He has been praised for his dancing with The Times of India labelling Vijay's dance moves as "energetic and effortless".[131][132][133] He has been praised for his acting skills with Zee Media reporting that Vijay amazed audiences with his acting and screen presence.[134]
Referred to as Thalapathy (transl. commander), Vijay has a significant fan following.[135] In 2019, a wax figure of Vijay was unveiled in a museum in Kanyakumari.[136][137] Vijay secured #8 spot in Eastern Eye magazine among top celebrities in Asia and he is the only Tamil actor to feature among Bollywood actors in the list in 2023.[1]
His 2007 film Azhagiya Tamil Magan re-released on 22 March 2024 and acquired hit status in Tamil Nadu.[138] His other re-releases, Ghilli and Pokkiri acquired all-time hit status worldwide with Ghilli reaching the ₹100 crore mark.[139]