Vijay (actor)

Vijay, born Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar on June 22, 1974, is an Indian actor, playback singer, dancer, and philanthropist who works primarily in Tamil cinema. He is widely regarded as one of the leading actors in South Indian cinema and commands a significant fan following.

Vijay made his debut as a child actor in the film Vetri (1984) and later played lead roles starting with Naalaiya Theerpu (1992). He gained significant recognition in the mid-1990s with films like Poove Unakkaga (1996), which established him as a romantic hero.

Throughout his career, Vijay has starred in a variety of genres, including action, romance, comedy, and drama. Some of his notable films include Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997), Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999), Ghilli (2004), Pokkiri (2007), Thuppakki (2012), Kaththi (2014), Theri (2016), Mersal (2017), Sarkar (2018), and Master (2021).

Vijay's performances have earned him numerous awards, including several Vijay Awards, Filmfare Awards South, and SIIMA Awards. He is also known for his philanthropic activities through his organization, Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, which is involved in various social welfare initiatives.

His films are often characterized by their high production values, energetic musical scores, and social messages. Vijay's on-screen persona is often associated with charisma and relatability, contributing to his widespread popularity. He is a significant figure in contemporary Tamil cinema and a box office draw, consistently delivering commercially successful films.