Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar born 22 June 1974 is an Indian actor, dancer, playback singer and philanthropist who works in Tamil cinema. Referred to by fans and media as "Thalapathy" (commander), Vijay is the highest paid actor in Tamil cinema. Vijay has acted in 64 films as a lead actor and won numerous awards, including one United Kingdom Award, eight Vijay Awards, three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, and a SIIMA Award. He has been included several times in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list, based on the earnings of Indian celebrities. Vijay has significant following globally.
At 10 years old, Vijay's first role was in the drama Vetri (1984); he continued to perform as a child actor in films until Ithu Engal Neethi (1988), directed by his father S. A. Chandrasekhar, and then featured as the lead for the first time in Naalaiya Theerpu (1992). Vijay played anti-hero roles as an hyper-possessive lover in Priyamudan (1998), followed by a play-boy in Azhagiya Tamil Magan (2007). The success of his masala film Thirumalai (2003) changed his on-screen persona to that of an action hero.[6] He appeared as a kabaddi player in Ghilli (2004), which went on to become the first Tamil film to earn ₹500 million (Indian rupees).[7] He continued to achieve success during the 2000s with cult films including Thirupaachi (2005), Sachein (2005), Sivakasi (2005), Pokkiri (2007) and Vettaikaaran (2009). In the 2010s, Vijay achieved further critical and commercial success with blockbusters including Thuppakki (2012), Thalaivaa (2013), Kaththi (2014), Theri (2016), Mersal (2017), Sarkar (2018) and Bigil (2019). While Vijay's earlier films were primarily action and masala based, his later films transitioned into the thriller genre and discussion of reform concerning social, environmental and political issues in India.[8]
Vijay is among the most popular celebrities in India.[9] In 2008, he was signed as an ambassador for the Indian Premier League cricket team Chennai Super Kings. In 2009, Coca-Cola India signed him as their brand ambassador in Tamil Nadu and he subsequently featured in advertisements for the company. In 2013, Consulate General of the United States, Chennai appeared him as the ambassador for 'V Go Green' global awareness campaign movement.[10] Vijay's popularity has been recorded by both Google and Twitter as the most-searched-and-tweeted actor several times.[11][12] As a philanthropist, Vijay formed the social welfare organisation, Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (Vijay People Organization), which is responsible for much of his philanthropic work. He received an honorary doctorate from the Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute of the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University in 2007 for his contributions to social welfare and in honour of his achievements in the film industry.
At 10 years old, Vijay's first role was in the drama Vetri (1984); he continued to perform as a child actor in films until Ithu Engal Neethi (1988), directed by his father S. A. Chandrasekhar, and then featured as the lead for the first time in Naalaiya Theerpu (1992). Vijay played anti-hero roles as an hyper-possessive lover in Priyamudan (1998), followed by a play-boy in Azhagiya Tamil Magan (2007). The success of his masala film Thirumalai (2003) changed his on-screen persona to that of an action hero.[6] He appeared as a kabaddi player in Ghilli (2004), which went on to become the first Tamil film to earn ₹500 million (Indian rupees).[7] He continued to achieve success during the 2000s with cult films including Thirupaachi (2005), Sachein (2005), Sivakasi (2005), Pokkiri (2007) and Vettaikaaran (2009). In the 2010s, Vijay achieved further critical and commercial success with blockbusters including Thuppakki (2012), Thalaivaa (2013), Kaththi (2014), Theri (2016), Mersal (2017), Sarkar (2018) and Bigil (2019). While Vijay's earlier films were primarily action and masala based, his later films transitioned into the thriller genre and discussion of reform concerning social, environmental and political issues in India.[8]
Vijay is among the most popular celebrities in India.[9] In 2008, he was signed as an ambassador for the Indian Premier League cricket team Chennai Super Kings. In 2009, Coca-Cola India signed him as their brand ambassador in Tamil Nadu and he subsequently featured in advertisements for the company. In 2013, Consulate General of the United States, Chennai appeared him as the ambassador for 'V Go Green' global awareness campaign movement.[10] Vijay's popularity has been recorded by both Google and Twitter as the most-searched-and-tweeted actor several times.[11][12] As a philanthropist, Vijay formed the social welfare organisation, Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (Vijay People Organization), which is responsible for much of his philanthropic work. He received an honorary doctorate from the Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute of the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University in 2007 for his contributions to social welfare and in honour of his achievements in the film industry.
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