Acting · Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India · Born June 22, 1974
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. 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.
MovieJana Nayagan
2026
as Thalapathy Vetri Kondan 'Vetri'
MovieThe Greatest of All Time
2024
as Gandhi / Jeevan
MovieLeo
2023
as Parthiban / Leo Das
MovieVarisu
2023
as Vijay Rajendran
MovieBeast
2022
as Veera Raghavan
MovieMaster
2021
as John 'JD' Durairaj
MovieBigil
2019
as Michael 'Bigil' Rayappan / Rayappan
MovieSarkar
2018
as Sundar Ramasamy
MovieMersal
2017
as Vetrimaaran/ Vetri/ Maaran
MovieBairavaa
2017
as Bairavaa
MovieTheri
2016
as Vijay Kumar / Joseph Kuruvilla
MoviePuli
2015
as Marudheeran / Pulivendhan
MovieKaththi
2014
as Kathiresan / Jeevanandham
MovieJilla
2014
as Sakthi
MovieThalaivaa
2013
as Vishwa Bhai
MovieThuppakki
2012
as Jagadish
MovieRowdy Rathore
2012
as Self
MovieNanban
2012
as Panchavan 'Pari' Pariventhan / Kosaksi 'Pappu' Pasapugazh
MovieVelayudham
2011
as Velayudham
MovieKaavalan
2011
as Bhoominathan
MovieSura
2010
as Sura
MovieVettaikaaran
2009
as 'Police' Ravi
MovieVillu
2009
as Pugazh and Major Saravanan
MoviePandhayam
2008
as Himself (Special Appearance)
MovieKuruvi
2008
as Vetrivel aka Velu
MovieAzhagiya Tamil Magan
2007
as Guru / Prasad
MoviePokkiri
2007
as Tamizh
MovieAathi
2006
as Aathi
MovieSivakasi
2005
as Sivakasi / Muthappa
MovieSukran
2005
as Sukran
MovieSachein
2005
as Sachin
MovieThirupaachi
2005
as Sivagiri
MovieMadurey
2004
as Madureyvel
MovieGhilli
2004
as Saravanavelu
MovieUdhaya
2004
as Udhaya Kumar
MovieThirumalai
2003
as Thirumalai
MoviePuthiya Geethai
2003
as Sarathy
MovieVaseegara
2003
as Bhoopathy
MovieBagavathi
2002
as Bagavathi
MovieYouth
2002
as Shiva
MovieThamizhan
2002
as Surya
MovieShahjahan
2001
as Ashok
MovieBadri
2001
as Badri
MovieFriends
2001
as Aravindan
MoviePriyamaanavale
2000
as Vijay Vishwanathan
MovieKushi
2000
as Shiva
MovieKannukkul Nilavu
2000
as Gautham Prabhakar
MovieMinsara Kanna
1999
as Kannan
MovieNenjinile
1999
as Karunkaran
MovieEndrendrum Kadhal
1999
as Vijay
MovieThulladha Manamum Thullum
1999
as Kutty
MovieNilaave Vaa
1998
as Siluvai
MoviePriyamudan
1998
as Vasanth
MovieNinaithen Vandhai
1998
as Gokula Krishnan Gounder (Gokul)
MovieKadhalukku Mariyaadai
1997
as Jeevanandhan
MovieNerrukku Ner
1997
as Vijay
MovieOnce More
1997
as Vijay
MovieLove Today
1997
as Ganesh
MovieKaalamellam Kaathiruppen
1997
as Kannan
MovieSelva
1996
as Selva
MovieVasantha Vaasal
1996
MovieMaanbumigu Maanavan
1996
as Siva
MoviePoove Unakkaga
1996
as Raja
MovieCoimbatore Mappillai
1996
as Balu
MovieChandralekha
1995
as Rahim
MovieRajavin Parvaiyile
1995
as Raja
MovieVishnu
1995
as Vishnu
MovieDeva
1995
as Deva
MovieRasigan
1994
as Vijay
MovieSendhoorapandi
1993
as Vijay
MovieNaalaiya Theerpu
1992
as Vijay
MovieIthu Engal Neethi
1988
as Child Artist
MovieNaan Sigappu Manithan
1985
as Child Artist (Uncredited Role)
MovieVetri
1984
as Child Artist (Uncredited Role)
