Vijay
Biography
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, born on June 22, 1974, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, and known mononymously as Vijay, is an Indian politician and former actor who is recognized as one of the most prominent stars in Tamil cinema. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he established himself as a bankable actor known for his mass appeal, strong box office pull, dance performances, and versatility across action, comedy, romance, and drama. In addition to his acting career, he is a playback singer and has transitioned into politics, eventually serving as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu following the 2026 election results. His filmography includes commercially successful titles such as Poove Unakkaga, Ghilli, Pokkiri, Thuppakki, Mersal, Sarkar, Master, and Leo.
Career overview
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, who is credited at birth as Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar and is known mononymously as Vijay, was born on June 22, 1974, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He has worked as an Indian actor, playback singer, dancer, and politician. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he established himself as one of the most prominent and bankable stars in Tamil cinema, 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. His filmography includes Poove Unakkaga in 1996, Ghilli in 2004, Pokkiri in 2007, Thuppakki in 2012, Mersal in 2017, Sarkar in 2018, Master in 2021, and Leo in 2023. His films are noted for blending commercial entertainment with various dramatic elements.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Karuppu (2026) Thanks
- Jana Nayagan (2026) as Thalapathy Vetri Kondan 'Vetri'
- Jana Nayagan (2026) Playback Singer
- The Greatest of All Time (2024) as Gandhi / Jeevan
- The Greatest of All Time (2024) Playback Singer
- Leo (2023) as Parthiban / Leo Das
- Leo (2023) Playback Singer
- Varisu (2023) as Vijay Rajendran
- Varisu (2023) Playback Singer
- Beast (2022) as Veera Raghavan
- Beast (2022) Playback Singer
- Love Today (2022) Thanks
- Master (2021) as John 'JD' Durairaj
- Master (2021) Playback Singer
- Bigil (2019) as Michael 'Bigil' Rayappan / Rayappan
- Bigil (2019) Playback Singer
- Sarkar (2018) as Sundar Ramasamy
- Mersal (2017) as Vetrimaaran/ Vetri/ Maaran
- Bairavaa (2017) as Bairavaa
- Theri (2016) as Vijay Kumar / Joseph Kuruvilla
- Theri (2016) Playback Singer
- Puli (2015) as Marudheeran / Pulivendhan
- Kaththi (2014) as Kathiresan / Jeevanandham
- Jilla (2014) as Sakthi
- Thalaivaa (2013) as Vishwa Bhai
- Thalaivaa (2013) Playback Singer
- Rowdy Rathore (2012) as Self
- Nanban (2012) as Panchavan 'Pari' Pariventhan / Kosaksi 'Pappu' Pasapugazh
- Thuppakki (2012) as Jagadish
- Thuppakki (2012) Playback Singer
- Velayudham (2011) as Velayudham
- Kaavalan (2011) as Bhoominathan
- Sura (2010) as Sura
- Villu (2009) as Pugazh and Major Saravanan
- Vettaikaaran (2009) as 'Police' Ravi
- Pandhayam (2008) as Himself (Special Appearance)
- Kuruvi (2008) as Vetrivel aka Velu
- Azhagiya Tamil Magan (2007) as Guru / Prasad
- Pokkiri (2007) as Tamizh
- Aathi (2006) as Aathi
- Sukran (2005) as Sukran
- Thirupaachi (2005) as Sivagiri
- Sachein (2005) as Sachin
- Sachein (2005) Playback Singer
- Sivakasi (2005) as Sivakasi / Muthappa
- Udhaya (2004) as Udhaya Kumar
- Madurey (2004) as Madureyvel
- Ghilli (2004) as Saravanavelu
- Vaseegara (2003) as Bhoopathy
- Thirumalai (2003) as Thirumalai
- Puthiya Geethai (2003) as Sarathy
- Bagavathi (2002) as Bagavathi
- Thamizhan (2002) as Surya
- Thamizhan (2002) Playback Singer
- Youth (2002) as Shiva
- Badri (2001) as Badri
- Shahjahan (2001) as Ashok
- Friends (2001) as Aravindan
- Kushi (2000) as Shiva
- Priyamaanavale (2000) as Vijay Vishwanathan
- Kannukkul Nilavu (2000) as Gautham Prabhakar
- Minsara Kanna (1999) as Kannan
- Nenjinile (1999) as Karunkaran
- Endrendrum Kadhal (1999) as Vijay
- Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999) as Kutty
- Velai (1998) Playback Singer
- Nilaave Vaa (1998) as Siluvai
- Ninaithen Vandhai (1998) as Gokula Krishnan Gounder (Gokul)
- Priyamudan (1998) as Vasanth
- Kadhalukku Mariyaadai (1997) as Jeevanandhan
- Nerrukku Ner (1997) as Vijay
- Love Today (1997) as Ganesh
- Once More (1997) as Vijay
- Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen (1997) as Kannan
- Poove Unakkaga (1996) as Raja
- Selva (1996) as Selva
- Maanbumigu Maanavan (1996) as Siva
- Vasantha Vaasal (1996)
- Coimbatore Mappillai (1996) as Balu
- Rajavin Parvaiyile (1995) as Raja
- Deva (1995) as Deva
- Vishnu (1995) as Vishnu
- Chandralekha (1995) as Rahim
- Rasigan (1994) as Vijay
- Sendhoorapandi (1993) as Vijay
- Naalaiya Theerpu (1992) as Vijay
- Innisai Mazhai (1992) Producer
- Ithu Engal Neethi (1988) as Child Artist
- Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985) as Child Artist (Uncredited Role)
- Vetri (1984) as Child Artist (Uncredited Role)