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Vijay

Actor

Vijay

Born June 22, 1974 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India72 films

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.

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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.

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The best way into Vijay's work
Mersal posterFirst watchMersal20177.3as Vetrimaaran/ Vetri/ MaaranA few individuals in the medical profession are murdered or kidnapped, and the cop investigating the case suspects a doctor and arrests him.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Thuppakki poster7.3Thuppakki2012Leo poster6.9Leo2023Kaththi poster7.2Kaththi2014Theri poster6.9Theri2016Master poster6.6Master2021Ghilli poster7.1Ghilli2004Nanban poster7.2Nanban2012Pokkiri poster6.9Pokkiri2007

Filmography

72 films as actor
  1. 2026Jana NayaganThalapathy Vetri Kondan 'Vetri'
  2. 2024The Greatest of All TimeGandhi / Jeevan
  3. 2023LeoParthiban / Leo Das
  4. 2023VarisuVijay Rajendran
  5. 2022BeastVeera Raghavan
  6. 2021MasterJohn 'JD' Durairaj
  7. 2019BigilMichael 'Bigil' Rayappan / Rayappan
  8. 2018SarkarSundar Ramasamy
  9. 2017MersalVetrimaaran/ Vetri/ Maaran
  10. 2017BairavaaBairavaa
  11. 2016TheriVijay Kumar / Joseph Kuruvilla
  12. 2015PuliMarudheeran / Pulivendhan
  13. 2014KaththiKathiresan / Jeevanandham
  14. 2014JillaSakthi
  15. 2013ThalaivaaVishwa Bhai
  16. 2012ThuppakkiJagadish
  17. 2012NanbanPanchavan 'Pari' Pariventhan / Kosaksi 'Pappu' Pasapugazh
  18. 2011VelayudhamVelayudham
  19. 2011KaavalanBhoominathan
  20. 2010SuraSura
  21. 2009Vettaikaaran'Police' Ravi
  22. 2009VilluPugazh and Major Saravanan
  23. 2008KuruviVetrivel aka Velu
  24. 2007Azhagiya Tamil MaganGuru / Prasad
  25. 2007PokkiriTamizh
  26. 2006AathiAathi
  27. 2005SivakasiSivakasi / Muthappa
  28. 2005SukranSukran
  29. 2005SacheinSachin
  30. 2005ThirupaachiSivagiri
  31. 2004MadureyMadureyvel
  32. 2004GhilliSaravanavelu
  33. 2004UdhayaUdhaya Kumar
  34. 2003ThirumalaiThirumalai
  35. 2003Puthiya GeethaiSarathy
  36. 2003VaseegaraBhoopathy
  37. 2002BagavathiBagavathi
  38. 2002YouthShiva
  39. 2002ThamizhanSurya
  40. 2001ShahjahanAshok
  41. 2001BadriBadri
  42. 2001FriendsAravindan
  43. 2000PriyamaanavaleVijay Vishwanathan
  44. 2000KushiShiva
  45. 2000Kannukkul NilavuGautham Prabhakar
  46. 1999Minsara KannaKannan
  47. 1999NenjinileKarunkaran
  48. 1999Endrendrum KadhalVijay
  49. 1999Thulladha Manamum ThullumKutty
  50. 1998Nilaave VaaSiluvai
  51. 1998PriyamudanVasanth
  52. 1998Ninaithen VandhaiGokula Krishnan Gounder (Gokul)
  53. 1997Kadhalukku MariyaadaiJeevanandhan
  54. 1997Nerrukku NerVijay
  55. 1997Once MoreVijay
  56. 1997Love TodayGanesh
  57. 1997Kaalamellam KaathiruppenKannan
  58. 1996SelvaSelva
  59. 1996Maanbumigu MaanavanSiva
  60. 1996Vasantha Vaasal
  61. 1996Poove UnakkagaRaja
  62. 1996Coimbatore MappillaiBalu
  63. 1995ChandralekhaRahim
  64. 1995VishnuVishnu
  65. 1995Rajavin ParvaiyileRaja
  66. 1995DevaDeva
  67. 1994RasiganVijay
  68. 1993SendhoorapandiVijay
  69. 1992Naalaiya TheerpuVijay
  70. 1988Ithu Engal NeethiChild Artist
  71. 1985Naan Sigappu Manithan(uncredited)
  72. 1984VetriChild Artist (Uncredited Role)