He launched the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, a social welfare organisation in 2009.
Contents
- 1 Early life
- 2 Career
- 3 Personal life
- 4 Awards and Honours
- 5 Filmography
- 6 Discography
- 7 References
- 8 External links
Early life
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar was born on 22 June 1974, to film producer and director S. A. Chandrasekhar and Shoba Chandrasekhar, a playback singer. He had a sister named Vidhya Chandrasekhar who died at the age of two. Vijay went on to do Visual Communications at Loyola College, Chennai but dropped out of the college. His nephew Vikranth is an actor. His uncle SN Surender is an playback singer and dubbing artist.Career
1992–96
During his childhood, Vijay performed in more number of minor roles with Vijayakanth directed by his father. Vijay debuted as a lead role actor in the 1992 film Naalaya Theerpu, produced by his father. After a few other films, he co-starred with Vijayakanth in the film Sendhoorapandi. After films like Rasigan and Deva, In his fifth film Rajavin Parvaiyile in 1993, he co-starred with another leading actor Ajith Kumar, who played supporting role in that film.Rajavin Parvaiyile is a fifth film for both the superstars. He further went on to act in the romantic comedy Vishnu and romantic tragedy Chandralekha later. In early 1995, he starred in Coimbatore Mappillai a romantic comedy film.1996–03
His next film was the Vikraman-directed Poove Unakkaga which was his first commercial success and made Vijay a recognizable star. Vijay's tenth film Vasantha Vasal was followed by the action flicks Maanbumigu Maanavan and Selva and the romantic film Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen. In 1997 Vijay acted in the commercially successful movies Love Today,Once More, where he co-starred with the legendary Tamil film actor Sivaji Ganesan and leading actress Simran, the Mani Ratnam-produced Nerukku Ner, directed by Vasanth, where he co-starred with another leading actor Suriya who made his debut in that film and the romantic drama Kadhalukku Mariyadhai,co-starring Shalini Kumar which was directed by Fazil and earned him a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor. In 1998, Vijay worked in romantic films Ninaithen Vandhai, Priyamudan which was his first negative role, and Nilaave Vaa. In 1999 Vijay acted in the successful Thulladha Manamum Thullum again with Simran. This was followed by Endrendrum Kadhal, Nenjinile and the K.S.Ravikumar directed Minsara Kanna.From the start of the new millennium Vijay began to commit to entertaining and commercial ventures, which marked a change in his trend. In 2000 he did Kannukkul Nilavu with Fazil. His next venture Kushi, a romantic comedy co-starring Jyothika was directed by S. J. Suryah and became a box office hit. At the end of the year, he acted in a romantic drama, Priyamanavale, which was also a box office hit. His 2001 romantic comedy film Friends was directed by Siddique and featured him in the leading role alongside Suriya again, this film topped the years box office and became a blockbuster. Followed by Badri an action–drama film which was the remake of the Telugu film Thammudu a super hit and Shahjahan, a romantic drama film which was moderately successful at the box office. In 2002, he starred in Thamizhan alongside Priyanka Chopra who made her acting debut in that film before her establishment as the leading Bollywood actress. The film was a box office hit, giving Vijay his only hit film of the that time. Later, he featured in the romantic drama Youth and action drama Bagavathi there by rounded off the year with 1 hit and 2 average successes. Vijay began 2003 with the films Vaseegara and Pudhiya Geethai, both failures at the box office.
2003–07
In late 2003, Vijay transformed from a romantic hero to an action hero with the action-romance flick, Thirumalai opposite to Jyothika directed by debutant Ramana and produced by K.Balachander's Kavithalaya Productions, which featured him in a new look and was a box office hit. Thirumalai was a turning point in Vijay's career. His new commercial mass acting style and punch dialogue delivery coupled with his comic timing endeared him to all types of audiences and he soon achieved leading status in Kollywood. Udhaya, a film which began filming in 2002 but became delayed, finally released at the start of 2004. Ghilli,a remake of the Telugu film Okkadu released next in 2004, and became Vijay's biggest blockbuster at the time completing 200 days in theatres in Tamil Nadu. Directed by S. Dharani and produced by A. M. Rathnam, it co-starred Trisha and Prakash Raj, and was the biggest hit for Vijay at that period. Ghilli was the highest grossing film in Tamil Nadu at that time of release.It was followed by Madhurey (2004), an average grosser, directed by R.Madesh. In 2005, he starred in the Perarasu-directed action film Thirupaachi which became a hit, followed by a guest appearance in Sukran,the romantic comedy Sachien co-starring Genelia which became an average venture, and the successful commercial film Sivakasi co-starring Asin, which was directed again by Perarasu. His next film Aadhi was produced by his father S.A.Chandrashekar and directed by Ramana again released in 2006, and was not well received and flopped at box office despite its huge expectations. In early 2007, Vijay starred in the gangster film Pokkiri, the remake of the another Telugu film of the same name. Directed by Prabhu Deva, it became a box office blockbuster and the third highest grossing Tamil film of 2007. Vijay's character in the film, a reprisal of Mahesh Babu's role in the original, was well praised by critics.
2007–10
In late 2007, Vijay starred in the extrasensory perception thriller film Azhagiya Thamizh Magan, and for the first time in his career, he appeared in dual roles as both the antagonist and protagonist. The film was an average success, despite the initial hype and expectations. In 2008, he starred in the action film Kuruvi, again under Dharani's direction, which was a failure at box office produced by Red Giant Movies. The year 2009 started off with the action masala film Villu, in which Vijay teamed up with Prabhu Deva after the successful Pokkiri. The film earned mixed reviews and became a huge disaster. But, the actor's next film Vettaikaaran which was directed by Babu Sivan, produced by AVM Productions and distributed by Sun Pictures was an average success. In 2010, he acted in his 50th film, Sura, also distributed by Sun Pictures. Sura released amidst huge fanfare and expectations, but was a box office disaster. Vijay was forced to give a compensation of
60 million (US$1.0 million) to the theatre owners who had suffered losses due to the screening of his recent films.
Most of his films during this period did not do well at the box office
and Vijay's status as a leading star was questioned by critics. In late
2010 Vijay fell out with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, following which he aligned with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the run up to the 2011 assembly election.2011–present
40 million (US$670,000) for the release of the film. During Diwali the same year, his next film, the action film Velayudham directed by M. Raja and produced by Venu Ravichandran released and was a box office success and completed 51 days run. Velayudham became one of the top grossing films of 2011.His next release was Nanban, the Tamil remake of the Bollywood blockbuster 3 Idiots, where he essayed the role played by Aamir Khan in the original. Directed by acclaimed director S. Shankar, it released during the Pongal weekend of 2012 and emerged a major financial success. Vijay's performance in the film was praised by critics, including by leading Indian actor Kamal Haasan. Nanban went on to complete 100 days of theatrical run, with critics praising it as the biggest hit for Vijay since Ghilli. He made a special appearance in the 2012 Bollywood film Rowdy Rathore starring Akshay Kumar, directed by Prabhu Deva.
His film, the action thriller Thuppakki, directed by A. R. Murugadoss and produced by S. Dhanu, released on Diwali 2012 to mostly positive reviews and was a huge commercial success across the globe. Thuppakki was declared as a blockbuster. The film also became the fourth south Indian film and third in Tamil cinema to enter the
1 billion (US$17 million) club after Sivaji (2007), Magadheera (2009), and Enthiran (2010), making it the next biggest blockbuster in Vijay's career. Eros International announced that Thuppakki made a domestic nett collection of 1.8 billion (US$30 million). Thalaivaa directed by A. L. Vijay
released on 9 August 2013 worldwide, except Tamil Nadu. The film had a
delayed release in Tamil Nadu due to some political controversies. His latest film Jilla co-starring Kajal Aggarwal alongside Mohanlal, directed by debutante R. T. Neason, who was an assistant director in Velayudham. He is currently working in Kaththi, in which he works with Murugadoss for a second time, and co-starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The film is expected to release by the end of 2014. After that he will begin a film directed Chimbudevan in which he is expected to co-star with Priyanka Chopra, after they last worked together 14 years ago.
Personal life
Family
Vijay married Sangeetha Sornalingam of Sri Lankan Tamil descent on 25 August 1999. They have two children, a son Jason Sanjay born in 2000 in London, and a daughter Divya Saasha born in 2005 in Chennai.Brand endorsement
In the year 2002, Vijay appeared as Coca Cola's brand ambassador in Tamil Nadu. He acted in a variety of South Indian Coca Cola advertisements, along with Katrina Kaif. In 2008, Vijay was signed up as the star ambassador for the Indian Premier League cricket team Chennai Super Kings, along with actress Nayanthara. In January 2009, Vijay was approached as the brand ambassador for Coca Cola products. As of August 2010, Vijay was signed by Jos Alukkas as their brand ambassador for Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Vijay also signed for Tata Docomo, who will be seen for the first time for an Ad with Tata Docomo.Political and social activism
In 2009, Vijay was speculated joining the Indian National Congress after he met with Rahul Gandhi.In early 2011, Vijay openly expressed his desire to enter politics and his father S.A. Chandrasekhar confirmed it, saying that Vijay will officially enter politics at the age of 40. Following which he declared his support for the AIADMK led alliance in the 2011 state assembly election, and the AIADMK welcomed him by providing 3 seats to his fan club, Vijay Makkal Iyakkam He campaigned extensively for the AIADMK during the election campaign. He made a speech in Nagapattinam, condemning the attack on the fishermen by the Sri Lankan Government, thus marking his political visionnage.
On 25 August 2011, Vijay went to the Ramlila Maidan to meet Anna Hazare and expressed support to the anti-corruption movement for the Lokpal. He lauded that the movement is getting public support without any political background and said that "the Gandhian's stir has triggered a nationwide debate on uprooting corruption".
The 2013 film Thalaivaa was speculated to be a political film, which Vijay denied during an interview. In response to a question several months later about the possibility of his entry into politics, he said he "has no time to think of politics now."
Philanthropy
Vijay converted his fan clubs into a people's movement called Vijay Makkal Iyakkam which was officially launched at Pudukottai on 26 July 2009. His Makkal Iyakkam is responsible for most of the philanthropic activities conducted by the star. After Cyclone Thane his Makkal Mandram administrators arranged for a function at Kammiyampettai, Cuddalore where the star distributed five kilos of rice to the affected people. Cuddalore was the worst affected area in floods and Vijay reached out to help these people out by rendering some assistance. The area in which the function happened soon wore a festive look with thousands of people gathering to catch a glimpse of their favorite star. Vijay has appeared along with Suriya, R. Madhavan and Jyothika in a short commercial video about child poverty, labour and lack of education, titled Herova? Zerova? produced by Surya in an effort to eliminate children who drop out of school at an early age, made in association with Vishnuvardhan Induri the founder of CCL and the Ministry of Education of Tamil Nadu . The Ilayathalapathy Vijay Educational Awards 2012 was conducted at JS Kalyana Mandapam in Chennai on 8 July 2012 by his Vijay Makkal Iyakkam to honour the students topped in 2012 SSLC and 12th board exams and the awards were distributed by Vijay himself. On his every birthday, Vijay presents golden rings to the new born babies at the Egmore Government General Hospital.Awards and Honours
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Totals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Awards won | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nominations | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Honours
- Kalaimaamani (1998)
- Honorary doctorate - Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute (2007)
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
| Year | Recipient | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Kadhalukku Mariyadhai | Best Actor | Won |
| 2000 | MGR Award | Won | |
| 2005 | Thirupaachi | Best Actor (Special Award) | Won |
Vijay Awards
| Year | Recipient | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Pokkiri/Azhagiya Tamil Magan | Entertainer of the Year | Won |
| 2007 | Pokkiri | Favourite Hero | Nominated |
| 2008 | Kuruvi | Favourite Hero | Nominated |
| 2009 | Vettaikaaran | Favourite Hero | Won |
| 2010 | Sura | Favourite Hero | Nominated |
| 2011 | Velayudham | Favourite Hero | Nominated |
| 2012 | Nanban / Thuppakki | Entertainer of the Year | Won |
| 2012 | Thuppakki | Favourite Hero | Won |
| 2012 | Thuppakki | Best Actor | Nominated |
| 2013 | Thalaivaa | Best Actor | Pending |
Filmfare Awards South
| Year | Recipient | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Pokkiri | Best Actor | Nominated |
| 2012 | Thuppakki | Best Actor | Nominated |
| 2013 | Thalaivaa | Best Actor | Pending |
South Indian International Movie Awards
| Year | Recipient | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Thuppakki | Best Actor | Nominated |
| 2012 | Thuppakki - Google Google | Best Male Playback Singer | Nominated |
Edison Awards
| Year | Recipient | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Velayudham | Best Actor | Won |
| 2011 | Velayudham | Super Star Rajni Award | Won |
| 2012 | Thuppakki | Best Actor | Nominated |
Other Awards
Won- Cinema Express Award for New Face - Naalaya Theerpu (1992)
- Cinema Express Award for Best Actor - Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997)
- Roja Duke's Best Actor- Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997)
- Dinakaran Best Actor Award - Ghilli (2004)
- Film Today Best Actor Award - Ghilli (2004)
- Madras Corporate Club Best Actor Award - Ghilli (2004)
- Mathrubhumi Film Awards for Best Actor in Tamil - Pokkiri (2007)
- Isaiyaruvi Tamil Music Award for Best Hero - Pokkiri (2007)
- Asianet Film Awards for Most Popular Tamil Actor (2010)
- Variety Award for Hero of the Year - Kaavalan/Velayudham (2011)
- Vikatan Award for Best Actor - Nanban/Thuppakki (2012)
- Techofes Award for Best Actor - Thuppakki (2012)
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Vetri | Child actor | |
| 1984 | Kudumbam | Child actor | |
| 1985 | Naan Sigappu Manithan | Child actor | |
| 1986 | Vasantha Raagam | Child actor | |
| 1987 | Sattam Oru Vilayattu | Child actor | |
| 1988 | Idhu Engal Needhi | Child actor | |
| 1992 | Naalaiya Theerpu | Vijay | Cinema Express Award for New Face - Tamil |
| 1993 | Sendhoorapandi | Vijay | |
| 1994 | Rasigan | Vijay | |
| 1995 | Deva | Deva | |
| 1995 | Rajavin Parvaiyile | Raja | |
| 1995 | Vishnu | Vishnu | |
| 1995 | Chandralekha | Rahim | |
| 1996 | Coimbatore Maapillai | Balu | |
| 1996 | Poove Unakkaga | Raja | |
| 1996 | Vasantha Vasal | Vijay | |
| 1996 | Maanbumigu Maanavan | Shiva | |
| 1996 | Selva | Selvan | |
| 1997 | Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen | Kannan | |
| 1997 | Love Today | Ganesh | |
| 1997 | Once More | Vijay | |
| 1997 | Nerrukku Ner | Vijay | |
| 1997 | Kadhalukku Mariyadhai | Jeevanandam | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor Cinema Express Award for Best Actor - Tamil |
| 1998 | Ninaithen Vandhai | Gokulakrishnan | |
| 1998 | Priyamudan | Vasanth | |
| 1998 | Nilaave Vaa | Seluvai | |
| 1999 | Thulladha Manamum Thullum | Kutty | |
| 1999 | Endrendrum Kadhal | Vijay | |
| 1999 | Nenjinile | Karunakaran | |
| 1999 | Minsara Kanna | Kannan | |
| 2000 | Kannukkul Nilavu | Gautham | |
| 2000 | Kushi | Shiva | |
| 2000 | Priyamaanavale | Vijay | |
| 2001 | Friends | Aravindhan | |
| 2001 | Badri | Sribadrinathamoorthy aka Badri | |
| 2001 | Shahjahan | Ashok | |
| 2002 | Thamizhan | Surya | |
| 2002 | Youth | Shiva | |
| 2002 | Bhagavathi | Bhagavathi | |
| 2003 | Vaseegara | Boopathy | |
| 2003 | Puthiya Geethai | Saarathy | |
| 2003 | Thirumalai | Thirumalai | |
| 2004 | Udhaya | Udhayakumaran | |
| 2004 | Ghilli | Saravanavelu | Dinakaran Best Actor Award Film Today Best Actor Award Madras Corporate Club Best Actor Award |
| 2004 | Madhurey | Madhuravel | |
| 2005 | Thirupaachi | Sivagiri | Tamil Nadu State Film Special Award for Best Actor |
| 2005 | Sukran | Sukran | Guest appearance |
| 2005 | Sachein | Sachein | |
| 2005 | Sivakasi | Sivakasi (Muthappa) | |
| 2006 | Aadhi | Aadhi | |
| 2007 | Pokkiri | Thamizh (Sathyamoorthy) | Vijay Award for Entertainer of the Year Mathrubhumi Award for Best Actor – Tamil Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor - Tamil Nominated—Vijay Award for Favourite Hero |
| 2007 | Azhagiya Tamil Magan | Gurumoorthy, Prasad |
Vijay Award for Entertainer of the Year |
| 2008 | Kuruvi | Vetrivel | Nominated—Vijay Award for Favourite Hero |
| 2008 | Pandhayam | Himself | Cameo appearance |
| 2009 | Villu | Pugazh, Major Saravanan |
|
| 2009 | Vettaikaaran | Ravi | Vijay Award for Favourite Hero |
| 2010 | Sura | Sura | Nominated—Vijay Award for Favourite Hero |
| 2011 | Kaavalan | Bhoominathan | remake of the Malayalam film Bodyguard |
| 2011 | Velayudham | Velayudham | Edison Award for Best Actor Superstar Rajini Award Nominated—Vijay Award for Favourite Hero |
| 2012 | Nanban | Panchavan Parivendhan/ Kosaksi Pasapugazh |
Vijay Award for Entertainer of the Year (also for Thuppakki) Vikatan Award for Best Actor (also for Thuppakki) |
| 2012 | Rowdy Rathore | Special appearance Hindi film |
|
| 2012 | Thuppakki | Jagadesh Dhanapal | Vijay Award for Favourite Hero Vijay Award for Entertainer of the Year Vikatan Award for Best Actor Techofes Award for Best Actor Nominated—Vijay Award for Best Actor Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor - Tamil Nominated—SIIMA Award for Best Actor Nominated—Edison Award for Best Actor Pending—Chennai Times Film Award for Best Actor |
| 2013 | Thalaivaa | Vishwa Bhai | |
| 2014 | Jilla | Sakthi Aarumugam | |
| 2014 | Holiday | Filming Cameo appearance Hindi film |
|
| 2014 | Kaththi | Filming |
Discography
Vijay is a playback singer and has sung for composers like Ilaiyaraaja, Deva, Vidyasagar, Yuvan Shankar Raja and Devi Sri Prasad. He sang most of his songs in films he acted and a few for fellow actors. His first song was "Bombay City" from Rasigan. Later on he sang "Naa Dhum Adhikkura" for actor Suriya for the film Periyanna. He then sang "Vaadi Vaadi" in the film Sachein. After 7 years he sang "Google Google" for Harris Jayaraj for his film Thuppakki. He recently sung his 27th song Kandangi Kandangi in along with Shreya Ghoshal .| Year | Song Title | Film | Composer | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Bombay City Sukkha Rotti | Rasigan | Deva | |
| 1995 | Oru Kaditham Aiyaiyoo Alamelu Aavin Pasumpaalu Kottagiri Kuppamma |
Deva | Deva | |
| 1995 | Thottabettaa Rottu Melae | Vishnu | Deva | |
| 1996 | Bombay Party Shilpa Shetty | Coimbatore Mappillai | Vidyasagar | |
| 1996 | Thiruppathy Ponaa Mottai | Maanbumigu Maanavan | Deva | |
| 1996 | Chicken Karae | Selva | Sirpy | |
| 1997 | Anjaam Number Bussil Yeri | Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen | Deva | |
| 1997 | Oormilaa Oormilaa | Once More | Deva | |
| 1997 | Akhila Akhila | Nerrukku Ner | Deva | |
| 1997 | Oh Baby Baby | Kadhalukku Mariyadhai | Ilayaraja | |
| 1998 | Mowriya Mowriya | Priyamudan | Deva | |
| 1998 | Kaalathuketha Oru Gana | Velai | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Co-sung with Nassar and Premji Amaren |
| 1998 | Nilave... Nilave Chandira Mandalathai |
Nilaave Vaa | Vidyasagar | |
| 1999 | Thammadikkira Styla Pathu Juddadi Laila Roadula Oru |
Periyanna | S. Bharani | |
| 1999 | Thanganirathuku | Nenjinile | Deva | |
| 2000 | Mississippi Nadhi Kulunga | Priyamanavale | S. A. Rajkumar | |
| 2001 | Ennoda Laila | Badri | Ramana Gogula | |
| 2002 | Ullathai Killadhae | Thamizhan | D. Imman | Co-sung with Priyanka Chopra |
| 2002 | Coca Cola | Bagavathi | Deva | Co-sung with Vadivelu |
| 2005 | Vaadi Vaadi | Sachein | Devi Sri Prasad | |
| 2012 | Google Google | Thuppakki | Harris Jayaraj | Vijay Award for Favourite Song Nominated—SIIMA Award for Best Male Playback Singer Co-sung with Andrea Jeremiah |
| 2013 | Vaanganna Vanakkanganna | Thalaivaa | G. V. Prakash Kumar | |
| 2014 | Kandangi Kandangi | Jilla | D. Imman | Co-sung with Shreya Ghoshal |
Sources from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vijay
