Vijay has starred in several romance and action films, including the commercially successful films Poove Unakkaga (1996), Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997), Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999), Kushi (2000), Priyamaanavale (2000), Ghilli (2004), Pokkiri (2007) and Kaavalan (2011). He also worked with several corporations as a brand ambassador and is a former brand ambassador of the Indian Premier League cricket team, Chennai Super Kings.
Early life
Vijay was born to S. A. Chandrasekhar, a film producer and director and Shobha Chandrasekhar, a Carnatic singer. He attended the "Balalok Matriculation Higher Secondary School" in Virugambakkam. He began his post-secondary studies at Loyola College in Chennai and entered in the acting field.
Career
Early years: 1992-2002
During his childhood, Vijay performed in uncredited roles as a child actor in films produced by his father, S. A. Chandrasekhar. At the age of 18, Vijay debuted as a lead actor in the 1992 film Naalaya Theerpu, also produced by his father. In his second film, he co-starred with Vijayakanth in the film Sendhoorapandi. His following films Rasigan and Deva were all low-budget films. In his fifth film Rajavin Parvaiyile in 1993, he co-starred with actor Ajith Kumar, who, like Vijay, was also a rising young actor then. Also released that year were his romantic comedies Vishnu and Chandralekha.The following year, Vijay continued to pursue romantic comedy films like Coimbatore Mappillai. The Vikraman-directed Poove Unakkaga helped Vijay to become a recognisable actor. Vijay's tenth film was Vasantha Vasal which was followed by the action flicks Maanbumigu Maanavan and Selva. After more romance films in 1997, like Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen and Love Today, Vijay took up the romantic comedy film, Once More, in which he co-starred with legendary Tamil film actor Sivaji Ganesan. In his next film, the Mani Ratnam-produced Nerukku Ner, directed by Vasanth, he co-starred with Suriya who happened to make his debut in that film. He wrapped up that year with his first commercial success, Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, which was directed by Fazil and earned him a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor.
In 1998, Vijay worked in Ninaithen Vandhai, Priyamudan, and Nilaave Vaa. In 1999, his film Thulladha Manamum Thullum earned him a Special Prize at the following year's Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. This was followed by the films Endrendrum Kadhal, Nenjinile, Minsara Kanna.
At the start of the new millennium he did Kannukkul Nilavu with Fazil. He decided not to commit in films that took a year to release, which changed his trend. His next venture Kushi was directed by S. J. Suryah. At the end of the year, he acted in Priyamanavale. His 2001 comedy film Friends was directed by Siddique and featured him alongside Suriya again. Badri was an action - drama flick which he followed with the romance film, Shahjahan.
In 2002, he starred in Thamizhan alongside the then debutante Priyanka Chopra. Youth and Bagavathi rounded off the year. The following year 2003 began with Vaseegara and Pudhiya Geethai.
Commercial success: 2003-2007
Vijay then switched gears with the action-romance flick, Thirumalai, which featured him with a new look. Udhaya, a film which began filming in 2002 but became delayed, finally released at the start of 2004.Ghilli, which was released in 2004, is considered to be one of Vijay's biggest hits today. Directed by S. Dharani and produced by A. M. Rathnam, it was a remake of the Telugu film Okkadu, and ran for 200 days in theatres in Tamil Nadu. It was followed by Madhurey. It was in this year which Vijay began to portray his current mass-hero, stereotypical acting style, giving him a major turning point in his career. The following year, 2005, had other major films such as the Perarasu-directed Thirupaachi, the romantic flick Sachien, and another masala film, Sivakasi, again by Perarasu.
His next film Aadhi, was released in 2006. This film failed to reach the expected success and Vijay took a short hiatus from acting. He later accepted work in Pokkiri that year. Directed by Prabhu Deva, it released in 2007 and met almost the same success Ghilli did, in which Vijay played the character of an undercover cop diguised as a local gangster. Vijay's performance was well praised and he received an honorary doctorate title from the M. G. R. University and received an award from actor Kamal Haasan at Nehru Stadium for his exceptionable performance.
2007-2010
Late 2007, Vijay starred in the romantic drama film Azhagiya Thamizh Magan, and for the first time, he appeared in dual roles, as both the antagonist and protagonist. In 2008, he starred in the action film Kuruvi, again under Dharani's direction.The year 2009 started off with the action masala film Villu, which was directed by Prabhu Deva who was keen on working with him again after Pokkiri. The film featured Vijay in dual roles for the second time in his career. Vijay's next film, Vettaikaaran was directed by Babu Sivan, produced by AVM Productions and distributed by Sun Pictures.
In 2010, Vijay's 50th film Sura was distributed by Sun Pictures.
2011 onwards
He associated with director Siddique again for Kaavalan, the Tamil remake of the Malayalam film Bodyguard. It received positive reviews from both viewers and critics and was declared a successful venture at the box office. As of late-2010, he was working with M. Raja for Velayudham, which is being produced by Venu Ravichandran. He is currently working with S. Shankar for the film Nanban which features Vijay as the main character with Ileana D'Cruz as the actress and Jeeva and Srikanth in supporting roles.Vijay is expected to work with director Mani Ratnam in his next venture, currently being discussed
Personal life
Family
Vijay married Sangeetha Sornalingam[of Sri Lankan Tamil descent on August 25, 1999. They have two children, a son Jason Sanjay born in 2000 in London, and a daughter Divya Saasha born in 2005 in CHENNAI
Brand endorsement
In the year 2002, Vijay was chosen as Coca Cola's brand ambassador in Tamil Nadu. He had acted in a variety of South Indian Coca Cola advertisements, along with Katrina Kaif. In 2008, Vijay was signed up as the star ambassador for the Indian Premier League cricket team Chennai Super Kings, along with actress Nayanthara. In January 2009, Vijay was once again chosen as the brand ambassador for Coca Cola products. As of August 2010, Vijay was signed by Jos Alukkas as their brand ambassador for Tamil Nadu.
Awards and honours
- Honours
- Kalaimamani (1998)
- M.G.R Award (2000)
- Honorary doctorate (2007)
- Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor for Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1998)
- Tamil Nadu State Film Award - Special Prize for Best Actor for Thirupaachi (2005)
- TVS Star City Superstar of Tomorrow (2006)[14]
- Vijay Award for Entertainer of the Year for Pokkiri/Azhagiya Tamil Magan (2007)[15]
- Vijay Award for Favourite Hero for Vettaikaaran (2009)[16]
- Other Awards
- Madras Corporate Club Best Actor Award for Ghilli (2004)
- Dinakaran Best Actor Award for Ghilli (2004)
- Film Today Best Actor Award for Ghilli (2004)
- Silver award for Public Service Announcement (2005)[17]
- Amrita Mathrubhumi Award for Best Actor in Tamil for Pokkiri (2007)
- Isaiyaruvi Tamil Music Award - Best Hero for Pokkiri (2007)
- Isaiyaruvi Tamil Music Award - Favorite Actor (2009)
- Asianet Film Awards - Best Popular Tamil Actor (2010)
- Nominated
- Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award for Pokkiri (2007)
- Vijay Award for Favourite Hero for Kuruvi (2008)
