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Vijay (Actor) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth22 June 1974

Age50 Years

BirthplaceMadras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu

ProfessionActor, Film Producer, Singer, Politician

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseSangeeta Sornalingam

FamilySon - Jason Sanjay; Daughter - Divya Saasha; Father - S. A. Chandrasekhar; Mother - Shoba Chandrasekhar

Vijay (Actor) Biography

Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, popularly known as Vijay or Thalapathy, is a leading Tamil film actor, producer, singer and political figure from Chennai. With

Early life and background
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar was born on 22 June 1974 in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu. He grew up in Chennai and attended Fatima Matriculation Higher Secondary School and Balalok Matric Higher Secondary School before enrolling at Loyola College, Chennai to study Visual Communication. He did not complete his degree, leaving college to pursue a career in films.

Vijay is the son of film director S. A. Chandrasekhar and Carnatic vocalist and playback singer Shoba Chandrasekhar. He was raised in a household with both Christian and Hindu influences; he has described himself as a believer who visits places of worship across faiths. He is married to Sangeeta Sornalingam; the couple married on 25 August 1999 and have two children, son Jason Sanjay (born 26 August 2000) and daughter Divya Saasha (born 9 September 2005).

Career
Vijay began as a child actor, appearing in films such as Vetri (1984) and several other Tamil productions through the 1980s. He made his debut as a lead actor with Naalaiya Theerpu in 1992 and went on to build a prolific career in Tamil cinema.

Across more than 65 films, Vijay has become known for combining acting with dancing, stunts and occasional singing. He has recorded songs for many of his projects, including early work and more recent contributions such as “Kutti Story” from Master (2021) and “Naa Ready” from Leo (2023). In the 1990s and 2000s he starred in a series of commercially successful and popular films, with notable titles including Deva (1995), Poove Unakkaga (1996), Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999), Minsara Kanna (1999), Vettaikaaran (2009), Nanban and Thuppakki (2012), Theri (2016), Mersal (2017) and Master (2021).

Vijay has also worked as a producer on films such as Nanbargal (1991) and Innisai Mazhai (1992). His screen presence and mass appeal earned him nicknames like Thalapathy and Ilayathalapthy as he rose to prominence.

Awards and honours
Over his career he has received numerous awards and recognitions. State and industry honours include Tamil Nadu State Film Awards (Best Actor in 1997, the MGR Award in 2000 and a special prize in 2005), multiple Vijay Awards and Edison Awards for Best Actor, several recognitions from film magazines and organisations, and international acknowledgements such as a Best International Actor title in 2018 and an Osaka Japan Awards Best Actor award in 2023.

He was awarded the Kalaimamani by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1998 and received an honorary doctorate from MGR University in 2007.

Public profile
Vijay’s on-screen popularity has translated into a high public profile off screen. He was appointed a brand ambassador for IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings in 2008 and has maintained a large fanbase with organised clubs and events; he launched a fan club flag in 2008. He established the social welfare organisation Vijay Makkal Iyakkam in July 2009, which has taken part in various charitable and public activities and engaged with political causes at times.

He is known for an interest in dance, stunts and music, and for performing many of his own dance sequences. His personal tastes reportedly include travel destinations such as London and Los Angeles, and favourite foods like chicken biryani.

Political activity
In 2024 Vijay started a political party named Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). His social movement and public interventions have intersected with politics on several occasions.

Controversies and legal matters
Over the years Vijay has faced several legal and tax-related disputes and public controversies. These include disputes over entry tax related to an imported luxury car, a penalty imposed by the Income Tax Department for undisclosed income for a past financial year, and criticism over a dialogue in the film Mersal that drew complaints from some groups. He has also been subject to traffic-related fines.

Latest updates
By 2023 he continued to be active in film, appearing in Leo (2023) and contributing vocally to its soundtrack. In 2024 he launched his political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. In 2023 he won the Osaka Japan Awards Best Actor for Master, adding to a long list of recent recognitions.

Vijay remains a defining figure in contemporary Tamil cinema, combining a long filmography, musical contributions and social engagement with a growing political presence.
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Recent Work

Leo

Actor; contributed the song "Naa Ready"

2023
Master

Actor; sang "Kutti Story"

2021
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Career Highlights

  1. Debut as child actor in Vetri (1984)
  2. Lead actor debut in Naalaiya Theerpu (1992)
  3. More than 65 Tamil films including Vettaikaaran, Thuppakki, Theri, Mersal, Master, Leo
  4. Multiple state and industry awards including Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, Vijay Awards and Edison Awards
  5. Founded Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (2009) and launched political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in 2024
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Vijay (Actor) born?

22 June 1974

What is Vijay (Actor) known for?

Actor, Film Producer, Singer, Politician

What is Vijay (Actor)’s marital status?

Married

Who is Vijay (Actor) married to?

Sangeeta Sornalingam