Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar (born June 22, 1974), also known as Actor Vijay, is an Indian actor and politician who works in Tamil films. Vijay has acted in 68 films over the course of his three-decade career and is one of the most commercially successful performers in Tamil cinema, with numerous titles among the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time, as well as one of India’s highest-paid actors. He has won numerous acting accolades. Vijay, often known as “Thalapathy” or “Commander,” has a large fan base.

Vijay was born in Madras to filmmaker S. A. Chandrasekhar and made his acting debut as a kid in the Tamil film Vetri (1984). Vijay announced his retirement from filmmaking and his upcoming political debut in February 2024, when he founded Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

Who is Actor Vijay?

Vijay was born as Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar on June 22, 1974, in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu. His father, S. A. Chandrasekhar, is a film director, while his mother, Shoba Chandrasekhar, is a playback singer and vocalist. His father is a Christian, but his mother is Hindu. Vijay had a sister named Vidhya, who died when she was two years old. Vijay attended Fathima School in Kodambakkam before moving on to Balalok School in Virugambakkam. He pursued a bachelor’s degree in visual communication at Loyola College, but dropped out early to focus on his acting career.

Career

Vijay made his acting debut as a youngster in the 1984 Tamil film Vetri, produced by P. S. Veerappa. He then appeared as a kid actor in films such as Kudumbam (1984), Vasantha Raagam (1986), Sattam Oru Vilayaattu (1987), and Ithu Engal Neethi (1988).

His father directed Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985), in which he played a supporting role with Rajinikanth. Vijay took on the major role for the first time in Naalaiya Theerpu in 1992, when he was only 18. He thereafter acted in other successful films, including Senthoorapandi, Rasigan, Deva, and Coimbatore Mappillai. Vijay starred in Vikraman’s 1996 film Poove Unakkaga, which he credits with giving him his first break and popularity. In 1997, Vijay appeared in Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen and Love Today.

Following the action-romance film Thirumalai in 2003, Vijay featured in S. Dharani’s Ghilli, with Trisha and Prakash Raj. The Tamil film was a commercial success, earning over ₹500 million at the domestic box office. It also shattered the record for the most viewers in the first week of release, previously held by M. G. Ramachandran’s Adimai Penn (1969). Following this, he appeared in Madhurey and Thirupaachi in 2005. Later on, he appeared in the commercially successful films Sachein, Sivakasi, and Pokkiri. Pokkiri was one of the most successful pictures of his career at the time.

In 2023, Vijay appeared in Vamshi Paidipally’s action drama film Varisu. The film was a commercial triumph, earning more than ₹300 crore at the box office. His next release in 2023 was the action thriller Leo. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film was economically successful and became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the year, earning over ₹600 crore. Despite receiving poor reviews, his sci-fi action thriller The Greatest of All Time grossed over ₹450 crore at the box office. Vijay declared in February 2024 that he would only make one more film, his 69th and final as a lead actor, titled Jana Nayagan.

Vijay is regarded as one of the most prolific singers among Tamil actors. He has sung for composers such as Ilaiyaraaja, Deva, Vidyasagar, Sirpy, Bharani, S. A. Rajkumar, Ramana Gogula, A. R. Rahman, Yuvan Shankar Raja, D. Imman, Devi Sri Prasad, Harris Jayaraj, G. V. Prakash Kumar, Anirudh Ravichander, Santhosh Narayanan, and Thaman S.

Political Career

Vijay founded the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam fan club in 2009. The association backed the AIADMK alliance in the 2011 assembly elections. The fan club organisation ran in Tamil Nadu’s local body elections in October 2021, winning 115 of the 169 seats up for grabs.

Vijay considered the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019, passed by the BJP administration, inappropriate, claiming that it would disrupt. Vijay judged the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019, passed by the BJP administration, inappropriate, claiming that it would damage the nation’s social and religious unity.

On February 2, 2024, Vijay announced the formation of his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Political observers claimed that the TVK party would expand to other Indian states.

Vijay Actor Stampede

On September 27, 2025, a stampede occurred at a gathering for Tamil actor and politician Vijay, who was campaigning for his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The event drew a big throng, which apparently exceeded expectations, resulting in mayhem and disaster. According to initial estimates, at least 40 individuals were killed, including women and children, and more than 100 others were injured.

Personal Life

Vijay married Sangeetha, a Sri Lankan Tamil, on August 25, 1999. They have two children: Sanjay, who featured briefly with his father in Vettaikaaran, and Divya, who appeared in her father’s Theri.

Vijay Actor Net Worth

With a net worth of around Rs. 474 crores ($59 million) in 2025, he is one of the wealthiest and most prominent personalities in the Tamil film industry. He will appear in the power-packed action drama thriller Leo.

Social Media

Instagram: @actorvijay