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