Vijay (born June 22, 1974), credited at birth as Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, is an Indian actor, playback singer, and politician who became one of the most prominent stars in Tamil cinema. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he established himself as one of the industry’s most bankable actors, known for his strong box office pull, mass appeal, dance performances, and versatility across action, comedy, romance, and drama. He rose to prominence with a string of commercially successful films including Poove Unakkaga (1996), Ghilli (2004), Pokkiri (2007), Thuppakki (2012), Mersal (2017), Sarkar (2018), Master (2021), Leo (2023). His films often blend commercial entertainment with social and political themes, further strengthening his popularity among audiences. Popularly known by the honorific “Thalapathy” (“Commander”), Vijay built a massive fan following in India and internationally. In 2024, Vijay launched his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), marking his transition from cinema to public life. Following his announced retirement from acting after his final film Jana Nayagan (2026), he contested the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, leading TVK in its first electoral outing. In a historic debut, TVK emerged as a major political force, and Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, 2026, becoming one of the few Indian film stars to successfully transition into top-level politics.

Filmography

• 2026Jana Nayagan — Thalapathy Vetri Kondan 'Vetri', Playback Singer
• 2026Karuppu — Thanks
• 2024The Greatest of All Time — Gandhi / Jeevan, Playback Singer
• 2023Leo — Parthiban / Leo Das, Playback Singer
• 2023Varisu — Vijay Rajendran, Playback Singer
• 2022Beast — Veera Raghavan, Playback Singer
• 2022Love Today — Thanks
• 2021Master — John 'JD' Durairaj, Playback Singer
• 2019Bigil — Michael 'Bigil' Rayappan / Rayappan, Playback Singer
• 2018Sarkar — Sundar Ramasamy
• 2017Bairavaa — Bairavaa
• 2017Mersal — Vetrimaaran/ Vetri/ Maaran
• 2016Theri — Vijay Kumar / Joseph Kuruvilla, Playback Singer
• 2015Puli — Marudheeran / Pulivendhan
• 2014Jilla — Sakthi
• 2014Kaththi — Kathiresan / Jeevanandham, Playback Singer
• 2013Thalaivaa — Vishwa Bhai, Playback Singer
• 2012Nanban — Panchavan 'Pari' Pariventhan / Kosaksi 'Pappu' Pasapugazh
• 2012Thuppakki — Jagadish, Playback Singer
• 2011Kaavalan — Bhoominathan
• 2011Velayudham — Velayudham
• 2010Sura — Sura
• 2009Vettaikaaran — 'Police' Ravi
• 2009Villu — Pugazh and Major Saravanan
• 2008Kuruvi — Vetrivel aka Velu
• 2007Azhagiya Tamil Magan — Guru / Prasad
• 2007Pokkiri — Tamizh
• 2006Aathi — Aathi
• 2005Sachein — Sachin, Playback Singer
• 2005Sivakasi — Sivakasi / Muthappa
• 2005Sukran — Sukran
• 2005Thirupaachi — Sivagiri
• 2004Ghilli — Saravanavelu
• 2004Madurey — Madureyvel
• 2004Udhaya — Udhaya Kumar
• 2003Puthiya Geethai — Sarathy
• 2003Thirumalai — Thirumalai
• 2003Vaseegara — Bhoopathy
• 2002Bagavathi — Bagavathi
• 2002Thamizhan — Surya, Playback Singer
• 2002Youth — Shiva
• 2001Badri — Badri
• 2001Friends — Aravindan
• 2001Shahjahan — Ashok
• 2000Kannukkul Nilavu — Gautham Prabhakar
• 2000Kushi — Shiva
• 2000Priyamaanavale — Vijay Vishwanathan
• 1999Endrendrum Kadhal — Vijay
• 1999Minsara Kanna — Kannan
• 1999Nenjinile — Karunkaran
• 1999Thulladha Manamum Thullum — Kutty
• 1998Nilaave Vaa — Siluvai
• 1998Ninaithen Vandhai — Gokula Krishnan Gounder (Gokul)
• 1998Priyamudan — Vasanth
• 1998Velai — Playback Singer
• 1997Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen — Kannan
• 1997Kadhalukku Mariyaadai — Jeevanandhan
• 1997Love Today — Ganesh
• 1997Nerrukku Ner — Vijay
• 1997Once More — Vijay
• 1996Coimbatore Mappillai — Balu
• 1996Maanbumigu Maanavan — Siva
• 1996Poove Unakkaga — Raja
• 1996Selva — Selva
• 1996Vasantha Vaasal
• 1995Chandralekha — Rahim
• 1995Deva — Deva
• 1995Rajavin Parvaiyile — Raja
• 1995Vishnu — Vishnu
• 1994Rasigan — Vijay
• 1993Sendhoorapandi — Vijay
• 1992Innisai Mazhai — Producer
• 1992Naalaiya Theerpu — Vijay
• 1988Ithu Engal Neethi — Child Artist
• 1985Naan Sigappu Manithan — (uncredited)
• 1984Vetri — Child Artist (Uncredited Role)

Appearances as themselves (2)

• 2012Rowdy Rathore — Self
• 2008Pandhayam — Himself (Special Appearance)