Vijay
76 movies
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- Jun 22, 1974 (age 52)
- Place of birth
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Also known as
- இளையதளபதி விஜய் · ஜோசப் விஜய் · Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar · தளபதி விஜய்
Biography
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.
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.
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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.
Known for
Vijay: movies and TV shows
Acting (72)
- 2026 Jana Nayagan
as Thalapathy Vetri Kondan 'Vetri'
- 2024 The Greatest of All Time
as Gandhi / Jeevan
- 2023 Leo
as Parthiban / Leo Das
- 2023 Varisu
as Vijay Rajendran
- 2022 Beast
as Veera Raghavan
- 2021 Master
as John 'JD' Durairaj
- 2019 Bigil
as Michael 'Bigil' Rayappan / Rayappan
- 2018 Sarkar
as Sundar Ramasamy
- 2017 Mersal
as Vetrimaaran/ Vetri/ Maaran
- 2017 Bairavaa
as Bairavaa
- 2016 Theri
as Vijay Kumar / Joseph Kuruvilla
- 2015 Puli
as Marudheeran / Pulivendhan
- 2014 Kaththi
as Kathiresan / Jeevanandham
- 2014 Jilla
as Sakthi
- 2013 Thalaivaa
as Vishwa Bhai
- 2012 Thuppakki
as Jagadish
- 2012 Nanban
as Panchavan 'Pari' Pariventhan / Kosaksi 'Pappu' Pasapugazh
- 2011 Velayudham
as Velayudham
- 2011 Kaavalan
as Bhoominathan
- 2010 Sura
as Sura
- 2009 Vettaikaaran
as 'Police' Ravi
- 2009 Villu
as Pugazh and Major Saravanan
- 2008 Kuruvi
as Vetrivel aka Velu
- 2007 Azhagiya Tamil Magan
as Guru / Prasad
- 2007 Pokkiri
as Tamizh
- 2006 Aathi
as Aathi
- 2005 Sivakasi
as Sivakasi / Muthappa
- 2005 Sukran
as Sukran
- 2005 Sachein
as Sachin
- 2005 Thirupaachi
as Sivagiri
- 2004 Madurey
as Madureyvel
- 2004 Ghilli
as Saravanavelu
- 2004 Udhaya
as Udhaya Kumar
- 2003 Thirumalai
as Thirumalai
- 2003 Puthiya Geethai
as Sarathy
- 2003 Vaseegara
as Bhoopathy
- 2002 Bagavathi
as Bagavathi
- 2002 Youth
as Shiva
- 2002 Thamizhan
as Surya
- 2001 Shahjahan
as Ashok
- 2001 Badri
as Badri
- 2001 Friends
as Aravindan
- 2000 Priyamaanavale
as Vijay Vishwanathan
- 2000 Kushi
as Shiva
- 2000 Kannukkul Nilavu
as Gautham Prabhakar
- 1999 Minsara Kanna
as Kannan
- 1999 Nenjinile
as Karunkaran
- 1999 Endrendrum Kadhal
as Vijay
- 1999 Thulladha Manamum Thullum
as Kutty
- 1998 Nilaave Vaa
as Siluvai
- 1998 Priyamudan
as Vasanth
- 1998 Ninaithen Vandhai
as Gokula Krishnan Gounder (Gokul)
- 1997 Kadhalukku Mariyaadai
as Jeevanandhan
- 1997 Nerrukku Ner
as Vijay
- 1997 Once More
as Vijay
- 1997 Love Today
as Ganesh
- 1997 Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen
as Kannan
- 1996 Selva
as Selva
- 1996 Maanbumigu Maanavan
as Siva
- 1996
- 1996 Poove Unakkaga
as Raja
- 1996 Coimbatore Mappillai
as Balu
- 1995 Chandralekha
as Rahim
- 1995 Vishnu
as Vishnu
- 1995 Rajavin Parvaiyile
as Raja
- 1995 Deva
as Deva
- 1994 Rasigan
as Vijay
- 1993 Sendhoorapandi
as Vijay
- 1992 Naalaiya Theerpu
as Vijay
- 1988 Ithu Engal Neethi
as Child Artist
- 1985 Naan Sigappu Manithan
as (uncredited)
- 1984 Vetri
as Child Artist (Uncredited Role)
Behind the camera (17)
- 2026 Jana Nayagan
Playback Singer
- 2026 Karuppu
Thanks
- 2024 The Greatest of All Time
Playback Singer
- 2023 Leo
Playback Singer
- 2023 Varisu
Playback Singer
- 2022 Love Today
Thanks
- 2022 Beast
Playback Singer
- 2021 Master
Playback Singer
- 2019 Bigil
Playback Singer
- 2016 Theri
Playback Singer
- 2014 Kaththi
Playback Singer
- 2013 Thalaivaa
Playback Singer
- 2012 Thuppakki
Playback Singer
- 2005 Sachein
Playback Singer
- 2002 Thamizhan
Playback Singer
- 1998 Velai
Playback Singer
- 1992 Innisai Mazhai
Producer
Talk shows and appearances (2)
- 2012
- 2008