Vijay (actor)

Vijay (born Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar on 22 June 1974) is an Indian actor, playback singer, and dancer. He works primarily in Tamil cinema. He is one of the most popular and highest-paid actors in India. He has a huge fan following. As of February 2024, Vijay has announced his retirement from movies and his entry into politics with the launch of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

Vijay was born on 22 June 1974 in Chennai.^[1] His father, S. A. Chandrasekhar, is a movie director. His mother, Shoba Chandrasekhar, is a playback singer—a type of singer that sings for movies.^[2] He attended Loyola College. He did not finish his degree because he wanted to focus on acting.^[3]

Vijay started his acting career as a child in a few movies directed by his father. His first lead role as an adult was in the movie Naalaiya Theerpu (1992). Though his early movies did not do very well, he gained success with movies like Poove Unakkaga (1996), which made him popular.

He became a big star with hit movies like Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997), Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999), and Ghilli (2004). From Thirumalai (2003) onwards, Vijay has transitioned from the romance genre to the action genre in his film career. Over the years, Vijay has acted in many blockbuster movies, including Thuppakki (2012), Mersal (2017), Sarkar (2018), Bigil (2019), and Master (2021). His movies often include a mix of action, romance, and social messages, which appeal to a wide audience.

Vijay is married to Sangeetha Sornalingam. They have two children, Jason Sanjay and Divya Saasha.

Vijay has received several awards for his performances, including Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and Filmfare Awards South. He is also one of the most influential actors in Tamil cinema, and his movies often do well at the box office.

Vijay is involved in several charity activities. He runs the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, a social welfare organization. He helps people through his organization, especially in times of need, such as during natural disasters.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to C. Joseph Vijay.

• Vijay on IMDb

1. ↑ "Happy birthday Thalapathy!: Check out some rare images of the Vijay". The New Indian Express. 2021-06-22. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
2. ↑ "With 'Mersal' political plunge, Vijay sets eyes on Tamil Nadu's coveted film-to-politics winners club". The New Indian Express. 2024-02-02. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
3. ↑ George, Diya Maria (2026-05-16). "The Loyola connection in Tamil Nadu Assembly". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-05-20.