Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar popularly known as Vijay is an Indian actor, dancer, playback singer and philanthropist who is known for working in Tamil films. He was born on 22nd June 1974 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu to S. A. Chandrasekhar and Shoba Chandrasekhar. His father is a Tamil film director. His mother is a playback singer and Carnatic vocalist. He had a sister, Vidhya. He studied at Fathima Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Kodambakkam and Balalok Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Virugambakkam. He joined Loyola College to complete a Visual Communications degree, but he dropped out.
Vijay made his film debut at the age of 10 as a child actor in the film Vetri in 1984. In that year, he also appeared in another film, Kudumbam, as a child artist. As a child artist, he also appeared in several films, such as Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985), Vasatha Raagam (1986), Sattam Oru Vilaiyattu (1987) and Ithu Engal Neethi (1988).
Vijay made his lead debut with the 1992 film Naalaiya Theerpu. In that year, he won Cinema Express New Face Award.
In 1993, he was seen in the film, Sendhoorapandi.
Rasigan was his only released film in 1994. It was the first success of his career. But his role was not praised so much. But he was credited with Ilaya Thalapathy, which means young commander. With that credit, he became popular among his fans and the media for the rest of his career.
In 1995, he was seen in four films, Deva, Tajavin Paravaiyile, Vishnu and Chandralekha.
In 1996, Vijay appeared in five films, Coimbatore Mappillai, Poove Unakkaga, Vasantha Vaasal, Maanbumigu Maanavan and Selva. Poove Unakkaga was his first film in which his performance was critically acclaimed. And with this film, Vijay got wide recognition.
He was seen in five films in 1997. The films were, Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen, Love Today, Once More, Nerrukku Ner and Kadhalukku Mariyadhai. All of his performance was praised, but he won Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor for Kadhalukku Mariyadhai.
In 1998, for his three roles in three films, Ninaithen Vandhai, Priyamudan and Nilaave Vaa were praised and highly acclaimed. India Today marked the film Priyamudan as one of the landmark films of Vijay as a performer.
1999 was another successful year for Vijay. He appeared in four films, Thulladha Manamum Thullum, Endrendrum Kadhal, Nenjinile and Minsara Kanna. He earned Tamil Nadu State Film Best Actor Awards for his performance in Thulladha Manamum Thullum.
In 2000, he had three releases, Kannukkul Nilavu, Kushi and Priyamaanavale.
Friends, Badri and Shahjahan were his three released films in 2001.
In 2002, he acted in films, Thamizhan, Youth and Bagavathi.
He appeared in three films in 2003. The films are Vaseegara, Pudhiya Geethai and Thirumalai. Thirumalai marked the turning point of his career, he also gained popularity with his performance.
2004 was another successful year for Vijay. His movie Ghilli broke several records, such as being the first Tamil film of all time to gross over 50 crore rupees at the domestic box office, the film was seen by most people in the first week of its release. He also won three awards for Ghilli. In that year, he was also seen in films, Udhaya and Madhurey.
In 2005, he was seen in five films, Thirupaachi, Sukran, Sachein and Sivakasi. His performance in Sachein was praised. He won Tamil Nadu State Film Awards in the Best Actor (Special Prize) segment for Thirupaachi.
Aathi was his only released film in 2006.
In 2007, he appeared in two films, Pokkiri and Azhagiya Tamil Magan. His film Pokkiri made a record of being the first Tamil film of all time to complete a 10-day theatrical run in Kerala. His performance was highly acclaimed and he won three awards.
In 2008, he was seen in two films, Kuruvi and a special appearance in Pandhayam.
Villu and Vettaikaaran were his two releases of 2009.
Sura marked Vijay’s 50th film in his career. It was released in 2010.
Kaavalan and Velayudham were his two released films in 2011. He was praised for both of his films.
In 2012, he had three releases, Nanban, Thuppakki and a special appearance in the Bollywood film Rowdy Rathore. Rowdy Rathore marked his debut in Bollywood. His performance was highly praised in both Nanban and Thuppakki. He also won five awards for Thupakki and two awards for Nanban.
Thalaivaa was his only released film in 2013.
In 2014, he appeared in two films, Jilla and Kaththi. His role in Kaththi was praised and received several positive reviews. He won four awards for his role in Kaththi.
Puli was his only released film in 2015.
In 2016, he appeared in the film, Theri. His performance was praised and he won three awards for his role.
2017 was another successful year for Vijay. He was seen in two films, Bairavaa and Mersal. He received mixed reviews for Bairavaa, but his acting was highly praised and critically acclaimed in Mersal. He even won five awards for his performance in the film. He was also nominated for National Film Awards UK and Filmfare Awards South for Best Actor.
Sarkar was his only released film in 2018. He was nominated for Filmfare Awards South – Best Actor for his performance.
Bigil was his only released film of 2019.
In 2021, he was seen in the film, Master. For Master, he won several positive reviews.
He was last seen in the film Beast in 2022.
He has an upcoming film Varishu.
His several films were dubbed in Hindi and other languages and often got top TRP ratings.
Vijay also performed several complex dance moves in some films, such as Thirumalai, Ghilli, Kuruvi, Villa, Sura etc.
He sings several songs, for many movies, such as “Bombay City Sukkha Rotti” in Rasigan, “Thottabettaa Rottu Melae” in Vishnu, “Chicken Kari” in Selva, “Kaalathuketha Oru Gana” for Velai, “Ennoda Laila” for Badri, “Chella Kutti” for Theri, “Kutti Story” for Master etc.
In her sister’s memory, Vijay named his production house, V.V Productions, which stands for Vidhya-Vijay productions.
Vijay was the most-searched-googled-and-tweeted actor several times. Not just in India, he has a fan following in China, Japan, UK and France.
From 2012 to 2019, Vijay was ranked between 28 to 47 in the Indian edition of the Forbes Celebrity list 100. In July 2017, Vijay received the ‘Samrat of South Indian Box Office medal’ for his excellence in Tamil cinema since 1996. The media has given him the title, Thalapathy, which means commander. His wax figures were unveiled in several places in India. He received an honorary doctorate from the Dr M.G.R Educational and Research Unit in 2007 for his contributions to social welfare and honour of his achievements in the film industry. On 12 January 2006, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh released the postage stamp album with Vijay’s image and it was received by Vijay himself on the Pongal occasion. Vijay received the Kalaimamani award in 1998 and the M. G. R. Award in 2000, both from the Government of Tamil Nadu. He also received the Mathrubhumi award in 2007 and the Asianet award in 2010 from Kerala state. Vijay won as the ‘Most Trusted Indian Personality of 2019’ on a survey.
He is the brand ambassador and brand endorser for several brands. He was appointed as the brand ambassador for the IPL team Chennai Super Kings in 2008.
He does several charitable and social works.
Vijay married Sangeetha Sornalingam on 25th August 1999. They have two children: a son, Jason Sanjay, born in 2000 and a daughter Divya Shasha, born in 2005.
| Name | Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar |
| Nick Name | Vijay |
| Profession | Actor, Producer, Singer |
| Date of Birth | 22 June 1974 |
| Age | 48 Years (2022) |
| Birth Place | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| School | Fathima Matriculation High School Balalok Matriculation High School |
| Collage | Loyola Collage |
| Debut | Child Actor– Verti (1984) Kollywood– Naalaiya Theerpu  |
| Religion | Christian |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
Vijay Career
- Vijay made his film debut at the age of 10 as a child actor in the film Vetri in 1984. In that year, he also appeared in another film, Kudumbam, as a child artist. As a child artist, he also appeared in several films, such as Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985), Vasatha Raagam (1986), Sattam Oru Vilaiyattu (1987) and Ithu Engal Neethi (1988).
- Vijay made his lead debut with the 1992 film Naalaiya Theerpu.
- In 1993, he was seen in the film, Sendhoorapandi.
- Rasigan was his only released film in 1994.
- In 1995, he was seen in four films, Deva, Tajavin Paravaiyile, Vishnu and Chandralekha.
- In 1996, Vijay appeared in five films, Coimbatore Mappillai, Poove Unakkaga, Vasantha Vaasal, Maanbumigu Maanavan and Selva.
- He was seen in five films in 1997. The films were, Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen, Love Today, Once More, Nerrukku Ner and Kadhalukku Mariyadhai.
- In 1998, he appeared in three films, Ninaithen Vandhai, Priyamudan and Nilaave Vaa.
- In 1999, he acted in four films, Thulladha Manamum Thullum, Endrendrum Kadhal, Nenjinile and Minsara Kanna.
- In 2000, he had three releases, Kannukkul Nilavu, Kushi and Priyamaanavale.
- Friends, Badri and Shahjahan were his three released films in 2001.
- In 2002, he acted in films, Thamizhan, Youth and Bagavathi.
- He appeared in three films in 2003. The films are Vaseegara, Pudhiya Geethai and Thirumalai.
- In 2004, he had three releases, Ghilli, Udhaya and Madhurey.
- In 2005, he was seen in five films, Thirupaachi, Sukran, Sachein and Sivakasi. His performance in Sachein was praised.
- Aathi was his only released film in 2006.
- In 2007, he appeared in two films, Pokkiri and Azhagiya Tamil Magan.
- In 2008, he was seen in two films, Kuruvi and a special appearance in Pandhayam.
- Villu and Vettaikaaran were his two releases of 2009.
- Sura was his only released film in 2010.
- Kaavalan and Velayudham were his two released films in 2011.
- In 2012, he had three releases, Nanban, Thuppakki and a special appearance in the Bollywood film Rowdy Rathore.
- Thalaivaa was his only released film in 2013.
- In 2014, he appeared in two films, Jilla and Kaththi.
- Puli was his only released film in 2015.
- In 2016, he appeared in the film, Theri.
- In 2017, he was seen in two films, Bairavaa and Mersal.
- Sarkar was his only released film in 2018.
- Bigil was his only released film of 2019.
- In 2021, he was seen in the film, Master.
- He was last seen in the film Beast in 2022.
- Vijay also performed several complex dance moves in some films, such as Thirumalai, Ghilli, Kuruvi, Villa, Sura etc.
- He sings several songs, for many movies, such as “Bombay City Sukkha Rotti” in Rasigan, “Thottabettaa Rottu Melae” in Vishnu, “Chicken Kari” in Selva, “Kaalathuketha Oru Gana” for Velai, “Ennoda Laila” for Badri, “Chella Kutti” for Theri, “Kutti Story” for Master etc.
- In her sister’s memory, Vijay named his production house, V.V Productions, which stands for Vidhya-Vijay productions.
Vijay Family
| Father Name | S. A. Chandrasekhar (Director) |
| Mother Name | Shoba Chandrasekhar (Singer) |
| Brother | N/A |
| Sister | N/A |
| Wife | Sangeetha Sornalingam |
Vijay Relationship / Marital Status & Many More
| Marital Status | Married |
| Affairs / Girlfriend | Sangeetha Sornalingam |
| Wife/ Spouse | Sangeetha Sornalingam |
| Marriage date | 25 August 1999 |
| Marriage Place | Chennai |
| Children | Son– Jason Sanjay Daughter– Divya Shasha |
Vijay Physical Stats
| Height | In Centimeter – 165 cm In Meter – 1.65 m In feet & inches – 5’5 |
| Weight | In Kilogram- 54 Kg In Pounds – 119lbs |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Brown |
Vijay Favourite
| Favorite Actor | Amitabh Bachchan, Rajnikanth and Kamal Hassan |
| Favorite Actress | Simran |
| Favorite Food | Chicken Biryani |
| Favorite Color | Black, White |
| Favorite Sport | Cricket |
| Favorite Destination | London |
Vijay Education
| School | Fathima Matriculation High School Balalok Matriculation High School |
| Collage | Loyola College. |
| Educational Qualification | Degree in Visual Communications |
Vijay Net Worth
| Net Worth | N/A |
| Salary | N/A |
| Income Source | N/A |
| Car Collection | N/A |
Some Unknown facts about Vijay
- His first salary was 500 as a child actor.
- His film Ghilli’s one scene was parodied by Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone in Chennai Express.
- 5 times his films have clashed at the worldwide box office with the films of Shah Rukh Khan.
- Being impressed with Hollywood actor Tom Cruise’s Beach House, Vijay replicated a similar Beach House for himself in Neelankarai.
- Vijay is a hardcore fan of superstar Rajinikanth.