Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, born on 22 June 1974, is an acclaimed Indian actor and vocalist, predominantly active in the Tamil cinema industry. Renowned as Thalapathy, meaning Commander, he holds an extensive global fan base and has taken on lead roles in 67 films, solidifying his status as one of India's highest-paid actors. Vijay's achievements include accolades such as the Osaka Best Actor Award and a South Indian International Movie Award. In 2023, he attained the title of the highest-paid actor in India and ranked among the top earners globally. His alma mater is Loyola College in Chennai, and he entered the film scene in 1984, maintaining an illustrious career to date. Married to Sangeeta Sornalingam since 1999, Vijay is a proud parent of two, hailing from the notable Chandrasekhar family.
In 2007, with the exception of the commercially successful "Vettaikaaran" in 2009, Vijay encountered a string of average successes, including "Azhagiya Tamil Magan," "Kuruvi," and "Villu," all of which found greater success overseas. Despite these, 2009 marked a milestone as Vijay emerged as one of South India's highest-paid actors. However, his 50th lead role in the action comedy film "Sura" in 2010 faced box office disappointment.
Turning the tide in early 2011, Vijay collaborated with director Siddique for the romantic comedy "Kaavalan," receiving acclaim and collecting ₹102 crore worldwide. This film even found recognition at the Shanghai International Film Festival and achieved commercial success in China. Later in 2011, during Diwali, his action film "Velayudham" directed by M. Raja became one of the top-grossing films, gaining critical acclaim in Japan.
From 2012 onwards, Vijay experienced heightened success globally. "Nanban," released in 2012, was well-received, screened at the Melbourne International Film Festival, and grossed ₹150 crore at the box office. The action thriller "Thuppakki" in 2012, directed by A. R. Murugadoss, achieved positive reviews and became the third Tamil film to enter the ₹1 billion club domestically, making it Vijay's highest-grossing film at the time, surpassing ₹1,800,000,000. "Thuppakki" even made its mark at the Russian Film Festival.
In the vibrant tapestry of Vijay's recent filmography, the Festival of Alberta, Canada, witnessed the release of "Master," a cinematic extravaganza that garnered mixed to positive reviews from both viewers and critics. Eastern Eye, a British magazine, dubbed it "an entertaining massy action film," albeit expressing reservations about its extended runtime. Nevertheless, "Master" achieved remarkable success, collecting ₹300 crore worldwide and earning the coveted title of a box office hit.
Following this triumph, the dark comedy action film "Beast" roared into theaters on April 13, 2022. Reviews varied, with Roger Ebert's website describing Vijay's performance as that of a "stoic multifaced tiger with a multifaceted avatar," awarding the film 3/5 stars. "Beast" shattered records as the highest-grossing Tamil film in US premiere shows and achieved box office supremacy in international markets like New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore. Its global success extended to Netflix, where it ranked among the most-viewed films in 2022. Notably, "Beast" marked a cinematic milestone as the first Tamil film theatrically released in Uzbekistan, showcasing Vijay's expanding global impact.
The action drama "Varisu," produced by Telugu film magnate Dil Raju and directed by Vamshi Paidipally, entered the scene on January 11, 2023. Despite polarizing reviews, Vijay's meta-comedy acting stood out. The film's box office collection mirrored its predecessors, reaching ₹300 crore.
In the realm of 2023 releases, Vijay graced the screen in "Leo," an action thriller directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, marking their second collaboration since "Master." Released on October 19, 2023, in multiple languages including Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada, "Leo" showcased Vijay's versatility in the titular role. The film's soundtrack, a collaboration with Anirudh, added to its allure.
Looking ahead to the cinematic horizon, on May 21, 2023, director Venkat Prabhu and AGS Entertainment unveiled Vijay's next cinematic venture, tentatively titled "Thalapathy 68." Set to release in 2024, this cinematic odyssey promises a collaboration with Yuvan Shankar Raja, marking their second venture after two decades. The announcement has stirred anticipation among fans, eager to witness Vijay's continued evolution on the silver screen. As the journey of Vijay's cinematic ventures unfolds, each release adds a chapter to his illustrious career, captivating audiences across the globe.
