Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar or arguably Vijay as he is known to the theater, is a Tamil cinema genius. His journey is that of his family heritage, early stardom, the highs and lows of the field office, and ultimately a role that has undoubtedly cemented him as one of South India’s biggest stars.
Born in 22 June 1974 to film director SA Chandrasekhar and playback singer Shoba Chandrasekhar, Vijay’s life trajectory changed to pursue films. She started as a child, working as a child model in her father’s films such as Vetri (1984). This early upgrade enabled the digital camera lens to get the vegetables.
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Young Debut
By the age of 18, he turned to leading roles with Nalaiya Thirpu (1992). At a young age, he was experimenting with romantic comedies and movies. Movies like Rasigan (1995) and Kavalan (1997) established him as a promising young actor.
Early Successes
The over 90s and early 2000s brought a string of hits to success. Movies like Thullathadi (1999), Kushi (2001) and Tirumalai (2003) marked her name as a box office hit. However, there have been obstacles. Films like Badri (2001) and Sachen (2002) fared poorly, reminding everyone how filling human factories is revolutionary.
A turning point occurred in the mid-2000s. Actor Vijay picked up more movement-oriented roles, films like Shivkaasi (2005) and Villu (2009) grabbed popularity, earning him the nickname “Thalpathy” (commander) and this season also saw his very on-screen personality the increased.
Box Office Battles
Vijay’s career continued to see peaks and valleys. Movies like Kaavalan (2011) and Kaththi (2014) were blockbusters, while others like Jilla (2014) and Puli (2015) fell short. Interestingly, Actor Vijay also began incorporating social commentary into his films, sparking discussions on issues like corruption and farmer suicides. Mersal (2017) became a point of contention when it faced tax troubles, further solidifying Vijay’s image as a voice for the people.
Superstar Status
Today, Vijay remains a dominant force in Tamil cinema. Recent hits like Bigil (2019) and Master (2021) prove his enduring popularity. He’s a brand ambassador for several products, a philanthropist, and a role model for millions.
Vijay’s journey is a testament to hard work, adaptation, and a deep connection with his fans. He’s seen the highs of superstardom and navigated the lows with grace. As he continues to make movies, one thing is certain: the story of Thalapathy Vijay is far from over.
Vijay Biography
| Bio | ||
| Other Name | Thalapathy Vijay | |
| C. Joseph Vijay | ||
| Full name | Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar | |
| Nickname | Ilayathalapthy | |
| Profession | Actor, Film Producer, Singer, Politician | |
| Physical Stats | ||
| Height | in centimeters- 178 cm | |
| in meters- 1.78 m | ||
| in Feet Inches- 5’ 10” | ||
| Weight | in Kilograms- 75 kg | |
| in Pounds- 165 lbs | ||
| Body Measurements | Chest: 38 Inches | |
| Waist: 29 Inches | ||
| Biceps: 14 Inches | ||
| Eye Colour | Black | |
| Hair Colour | Black | |
| Film Career | ||
| Debut | Film (Tamil; As a child actor): Vetri (1984) as Vetri | |
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| Film (Tamil; As a lead actor): Naalaiya Theerpu (1992) as Vijay | ||
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| Film (Tamil; As a singer): "Bombay City Sukkha Rotti" from 'Rasigan' | ||
| Awards & Honours | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | |
| 1997: Best Actor for the Tamil film Kadhalukku Mariyadhai | ||
| 2000: MGR Award for the Tamil film Thulladha Manamum Thullum | ||
| 2005: Special Prize for the Tamil film Thirupaachi | ||
| Vijay Awards | ||
| 2007: Superstar of Tomorrow | ||
| 2008: Entertainer of the Year for the Tamil films Pokkiri/Azhagiya Tamil Magan | ||
| 2010: Favourite Hero for the Tamil film Vettaikaaran | ||
| 2013: Entertainer of the Year for the Tamil films Nanban/Thuppakki | ||
| 2013: Favourite Hero for the Tamil films Thuppakki | ||
| 2013: Favourite Song for the Tamil films Thuppakki | ||
| 2014: Favourite Hero for the Tamil film Thalaivaa | ||
| 2015: Entertainer of the Year for the Tamil film Jilla/Kaththi | ||
| 2018: Favourite Hero for the Tamil film Mersal | ||
| Edison Awards | ||
| 2012: Best Actor for the Tamil film Velayudham | ||
| 2016: Best Actor for the Tamil film Theri | ||
| 2017: Best Actor for the Tamil film Mersal | ||
| Isaiaruvi TV Awards | ||
| 2007: Best Actor for the Tamil film Pokkiri | ||
| 2009: Favourite Hero for the Tamil film Vettaikaran | ||
| Other Awards | ||
| 2005: Won Dinakaran Award for Best Actor for the Tamil film Ghilli | ||
| 2007: Won Mathrubhumi Film Award for the Tamil film Pokkiri | ||
| 2010: Won Asianet Film Award for Most Popular Tamil Actor | ||
| 2012: Won Cosmopolitan Award for Best Actor for the Tamil films Nanban/Thuppakki | ||
| 2012: Won Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award for Best Actor for the Tamil films Nanban/Thuppakki | ||
| 2014: Won Kumudam Award for People Choice Superstar Award | ||
| 2017: Won South Indian International Movie Award for Entertainer of the year for the Tamil film Theri | ||
| 2018: Won India Today Award for Best Actor in Tamil Cinema | ||
| 2018: Nominated for National Film Awards UK for Best Actor for Tamil film Mersal | ||
| 2018: Won Vikatan Award for Best Actor | ||
| 2020: Won Zee Cine Award Tamil for Favourite Hero for the Tamil film Bigil | ||
| 2023: Won Osaka Japan Awards for Best Actor for the Tamil film Master | ||
| Honours | ||
| 1998: Kalaimaamani by the Government of Tamil Nadu | ||
| 2007: Doctor Honoris Causa (Honorary Doctorate) by MGR University | ||
| 2018: Best International Actor 2018 by United Kingdom | ||
| Political Career | ||
| Party |
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| Political Journey | 2024: Started his political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) | |
| Personal Life | ||
| Date of Birth | 22 June 1974 (Saturday) | |
| Age | 50 Years (as of 2024) | |
| Birthplace | Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu | |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer | |
| Signature |
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| Nationality | Indian | |
| Hometown | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | |
| School | Fatima Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Kodambakkam, Chennai | |
| Balalok Matric Higher Secondary School, Chennai | ||
| College | Loyola College, Chennai | |
| Educational Qualification | College Dropout (enrolled in BA in Visual Communication at Loyola College, Chennai) | |
| Religion | Roman Catholic (from father's side) and Hindu (from mother's side) | |
| Note: In an interview, he shared that, he believes in God and not any religion. He said, | ||
| "I am a firm believer. I go to church, and I have gone to temples and Ameen Peer Dargah during the filming of Thuppakki. I have felt a divine feeling in all the places. My mother is a Hindu and my father is a Christian. I grew up in a household that never restricted me as to where I should go or shouldn’t go. I also teach my children the same.” | ||
| Caste | Udayar | |
| Blood Group | B+ | |
| Food Habit | Non-Vegetarian | |
| Address | Casuarina Drive Street, Neelankarai, Chennai | |
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| Hobbies | Doing stunts, dancing, singing | |
| Controversies | Tax Exception for his Luxury Car | |
| In 2012, he filed a petition for tax exemption for his Rolls Royce car which he had imported from England in 2005. Later, the Commercial Tax Department (CTD) ordered Vijay to pay the entry tax. However, in September 2021, Vijay had paid seven lakh ninety eight thousand and seventy five rupees as entry tax, but CTD was asking him to pay thirty lakh twenty three thousand six hundred and nine rupees as penalty for the non-payment of tax during the interim period. Vijay then filed a case in Chennai High Court as he was fined 400% of the penalty. On 15 July 2022, the court declared that no fine shall be imposed on him as he had paid entry tax before 2019. | ||
| Penalty Imposed by Income Tax Department | ||
| For the financial year 2015-2016, he failed to disclose the income of Rs 15 crore for which he was fined Rs 1.5 crore by the Income Tax Department. However, Vijay pleaded in the Madras High Court that the penalty order was issued after the limitation period had expired. | ||
| Hurting Religious Sentiments | ||
| In 2017, he was criticised for his dialogue in the Tamil film 'Mersal' in which he said that hospitals in rural areas was more important than temples. The dialogue was not well received by the Hindus as it hurted their religious sentiments. However, Vijay did not apologies to anyone and thanked his fans who supported him. | ||
| Violation of Traffic Rules | ||
| On 11 July 2023, while he was travelling back to his home from a meeting, his fans started following his car. To escape from his fans, his driver broke the traffic signal twice after which he was fined Rs 500 as challan for breaking traffic rules. Reportedly, his car also had tinted glass (which is banned by the Supreme Court of India). | ||
| Relationships | ||
| Marital Status | Married | |
| Girlfriend | Trisha Krishnan | |
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| Marriage Date | 25 Aug 1999 | |
| Wife | Sangeeta Sornalingam | |
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| Children | Son- Jason Sanjay (born on 26 August 2000, acted in Tamil film 'Vettaikaaran' in 2009) | |
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| Daughter- Divya Saasha (born on 9 September 2005, acted in Tamil film 'Theri' in 2016) | ||
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| Parents | Father- S. A. Chandrasekhar (film director) | |
| Mother- Shoba Chandrasekhar (Carnatic vocalist, playback singer) | ||
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| Siblings | Brother- None | |
| Sister- Vidhya (died at the age of 2 due to ill health) | ||
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| Favourites | ||
| Actor | Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan | |
| Actress | Simran, Madhuri Dixit | |
| Food | Chicken Briyani, Chicken Curry with Dosa | |
| Travelling Destination | London, Los Angeles | |
| Colour | Blue, Black | |
| Style Quotient | ||
| Car Collection | Rolls-Royce Ghost | |
| Audi A8 L | ||
| BMW 7 Series | ||
| BMW X6 | ||
| Mercedes Benz GLA | ||
| Land Rover Range Rover Evoque | ||
| Ford Mustang | ||
| BMW 5 Series | ||
| Volvo XC90 | ||
| Benz E350D | ||
| BMW 3 Series | ||
| Mini Cooper S | ||
| Toyota Innova Crysta | ||
| Maruti Suzuki Celerio | ||
| BMW i7 xDrive60 electric car | ||
| Other Assets | A premium watch worth Rs 90,67,192 (also worn by him in the film Varisu) | |
| Money Factor | ||
| Fees | Rs 100 crore per film in 2022 | |
| Assets | J.S. and Shobha Kalyana Mandapam (two marriage halls) in Kumaran Colony and Saligramam | |
| Sangeetha marriage Hall in Porur, Chennai | ||
| Net Worth | Rs 300 crore in 2023 | |
Vijay Chandrasekhar Life Facts
- Honorary Doctorate: In recognition of his contributions to cinema and social welfare, Vijay was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute in 2007.
- Rajinikanth Fan: A die-hard fan of Rajinikanth, Vijay cites him as a major inspiration for pursuing acting.
- Child Star Phases: Before his lead role debut, Vijay acted in numerous films as a child artist, including Vetri (1984), Kudumbam (1984), and Sattam Oru Vilayaattu (1987).
Career Choices and Trivia
- Hollywood Inspiration: Impressed by Tom Cruise’s beach house, Vijay reportedly built a similar one for himself near Chennai.
- A Brush with Bollywood: Vijay had a brief cameo appearance in the Akshay Kumar starrer “Rowdy Rathore” (2012) for the song “Chinta ta ta.”
- Directorial Debut Dreams: Though primarily focused on acting, Actor Vijay has expressed interest in directing films someday.
Philanthropy and Fan Following
- Giving Back: Vijay actively supports social causes through his organization “Vijay Makkal Iyakkam” (Vijay People’s Movement).
- The Kerala Craze: Interestingly, Vijay enjoys a massive fan following not just in Tamil Nadu but also in the neighboring state of Kerala.
- Fan-given Title: The iconic title “Ilaya Thalapathy” (Young Commander), used until his mid-40s, was actually bestowed upon him by his fans.
Personal Life and Quirks
- Unique Son’s Name: Vijay’s son, Jason Sanjay, combines halves of his own name (“Jay”) and his wife Sangeetha’s name (“San”).
- Early Salary Days: For his very first film, Vijay reportedly received a remuneration of just ₹5500 (around $70 in today’s value).
- Love for Martial Arts: A fitness enthusiast, Vijay enjoys practicing martial arts and often incorporates them into his action sequences.
- In his school days, he used to be a topper.
- For his debut film ‘Vetri’ as a child artist, he received Rs 500 as fees.
- Since childhood, he has a strong belief in God.
- As a child actor, he appeared in various Tamil films like ‘Kudumbam’ (1984), ‘Naan Sigappu Manithan’ (1985), ‘Vasantha Raagam’ (1986), ‘Sattam Oru Vilaiyattu’ (1987), and ‘Ithu Engal Neethi’ (1988).
- To become an actor he dropped out of his Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Communications at Loyola College, Chennai.
- While he was studying in college, he used to perform in various dance competitions. He used to perform on Michael Jackson’s songs and even learnt all of his famous dance moves.
- He has worked as a producer in a few Tamil films like ‘Nanbargal’ (1991) and ‘Innisai Mazhai’ (1992).
- In the 1990s, he appeared in various Tamil films like ‘Deva’ (1995), ‘Poove Unakkaga’ (1996), ‘Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen’ (1997), ‘Thulladha Manamum Thullum’ (1999), and ‘Minsara Kanna’ (1999).
- He has lent his voice to many Tamil films songs like “Thiruppathy Ponaa Mottai” from ‘Maanbumigu Maanavan’ (1996), “Kaalathuketha Oru Gana” from ‘Velai’ (1998), “Yaendi Yaendi” from ‘Pulli’ (2015), “Kutti Story” from ‘Master’ (2021), and “Naa Ready” from ‘Leo’ (2023).
- In 2008, he was appointed as the brand ambassador of IPL team Chennai Super Kings.
- On 23 June 2008, he launched a flag for his fan club.
- He has appeared in more than 65 Tamil films including ‘Vettaikaran’ (2009), ‘Nanban/Thuppakki’ (2012), ‘Theri’ (2016), ‘Mersal’ (2017), ‘Master’ (2021), and ‘Leo’ (2023).
- While Actor Vijay was shooting for his second film, one of his female fans met him and praised him for his debut film. The girl was Sangeetha Sornalingam (Hindu British Sri Lankan Tamil), the daughter of a UK-based industrialist from Sri Lanka. He liked her gesture and invited her to his home for a meal with his parents. He kept on inviting her to his home several times. Vijay’s mother had sensed that he was in love with Sangeetha. In one of their meetings, Vijay’s mother asked Sangeetha to become their daughter-in-law.
- On 26 July 2009, he started his social welfare organisation named Vijay Makkal Iyakkam. In 2011, the organisation supported the AIADMK alliance in assembly elections. With his organisation, he has carried on various social welfare activities.Vijay with differently-abled children
- In 2011, he supported the anti-corruption movement started by the Indian social activist Anna Hazare in New Delhi.Vijay during the anti-corruption movement by Anna Hazare
- He made a cameo appearance in the Hindi film ‘Rowdy Rathore’ in 2012 in the song “Chinta Ta Ta.”
- He was featured on the Forbes’ India ‘Celebrity 100’ lists in 2012 and 2013.
- On 5 February 2020, his properties were raided by the Income Tax Department of India for his association with AGS Enterprises. He has worked with AGS Enterprises in the Tamil film ‘Bigil’ for which Vijay had charged around Rs 180 crore. An unaccounted cash worth Rs 65 crore was also seized from the property of the financer of ‘Bigil.’ However, Vijay came out clear in the raid. [18]
- In October 2021, he contested in local body elections from his organisation Vijay Makkal Iyakkam in Tamil Nadu. He won 115 out of the 169 contested seats.
- He is a good friend of South Indian actors Vikram and Suriya. Suriya was his college senior.Vijay with Vikram, Ajith, and Suriya (from left)
- Instead of celebrating his birthday in hotels, he prefers social work and provides free books to economically weak students.
- He has appeared in TV commercials for various brands like Coca-Cola, Chennai Super Kings, Sunfeast, Jos Alukkas, and Tata Docomo.
- He was initially offered roles in the Tamil films ‘Mudhalvan’ (1999) and ‘Dhool’ (2003), but he could not accept the offer due to his busy schedule.
- In an interview, he shared that he was a huge fan of the renowned Indian actor Rajinikanth. Vijay said that after watching Rajinikanth’s films, he developed an interest in acting. In his audition for a lead role in his film ‘Naalaiya Theerpu’ (1992), he said a famous dialogue of Rajinikanth from the film ‘Annaamalai’ (1992).
- He loves participating in various sports.
- His mother once shared that in childhood, he was a very talkative and naughty child, but after his father’s death, he became quiet and shy.
- In 2019, his wax statue was installed at the Mayapuri Wonder Wax, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, where statues of a few other famous personalities like APJ Abdul Kalam, Amitabh Bachchan, Mother Teresa, and Michael Jackson are installed.
- In 2021, he filed a case against eleven people including his parents for using his name to gather public or conduct meetings. His father had said that he would register a political party in Vijay’s name. Vijay immediately released a statement stating that he would not give his consent to start a political party with his name.
- He is considered one of the highest-paid actors in the Indian film industry. In 2023, he charged around Rs 200 crore for a film.
- On 11 July 2023, it was said that Actor Vijay would go on a padayatra across Tamil Nadu before the release of his film ‘Leo’ after which he would join politics.
- In a village in Tamil Nadu, he was provided financial aid to build the Perumal Temple. People in the village are so inspired by him that some of them have even kept their children’s name Vijay.
- In 2023, he received criticism from the audiences, for using the T-word (a cuss word) in his film ‘Leo’ in a scene with the Indian actress Trisha Krishnan. However, he did not apologise for it.
- He was listed in the top celebrities in Asia list at no. 8 by Easter Eye magazine in 2023. He was the only Tamil actor to feature in the list.
- In 2024, after the centre government implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, actor Vijay opposed the implementation and requested the Tamil Nadu government to make sure that the act was not implemented in the state.
- He has a huge fan following in India and various other countries like China, Japan, UK, and France. Some of his films have been released in more than eighty countries and five continents.
- He is an avid animal lover and owns a pet dog.
- He is often spotted consuming alcohol at parties and events.
- Vijay has been featured on the cover of various magazines like Mathrubhumi, Filmfare, and Success.
