
Vijay
ActingAbout Vijay
Vijay was born on June 22, 1974 with the given name at birth "Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar", is one of the most celebrated actors in Indian cinema, known for his exceptional contributions to Tamil cinema. With a career spanning over three decades, Vijay has established himself as a box-office phenomenon, delivering some of the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time, and at the same time being an icon in Tamil culture and film industry. His successful films include: "Ghilli" (2004), the first Tamil film to surpass ₹50 crore at the box office, "Thuppakki" (2012), which marked a turning point in Indian action cinema and hitting past the ₹100 crore box office, "Kaththi" (2014) which earned approximately ₹130 crore globally, "Mersal" (2017) which grossed around ₹255 crore worldwide, "Sarkar" (2018) amassed over ₹250 crore globally, "Bigil" (2019) collected approximately ₹300 crore worldwide, "Master" (2021) which despite the COVID-19 pandemic-related challenges did gross around ₹242.5 crore globally. And "Leo" (2023) which became Vijay's highest-grossing movie earning over ₹600 crore worldwide, and setting new benchmarks in Tamil cinema. Many of his films would be achieving record-breaking success and cementing his dominance in Indian cinema with its staggering global earnings and popularity. Known for his versatility, Vijay excels in a range of genres, including action, comedy, drama, and romance, captivating audiences with his charismatic screen presence, dance skills, and powerful performances. Famously called as "Thalapathy" (which means "Commander" in Tamil) by his fans, Vijay's influence extends beyond cinema, as his films often address pressing social issues, resonating deeply with audiences. With a massive global fan base, his impact on the South Indian film industry is unparalleled, and his philanthropic endeavours further enhance his stature as a cultural icon. Vijay’s unparalleled success and ability to connect with audiences have made him one of the most influential and bankable stars in Indian cinema.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Vijay reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Vijay's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 34% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Vijay remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Ghilli, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Vijay Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Vijay's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Vijay.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Leo | Parthiban / Leo Das | Hit | Similar → |
| 2023 | Varisu | Vijay Rajendran | Flop | Similar → |
| 2022 | Beast | Veera Raghavan | Flop | Similar → |
| 2021 | Master | John 'JD' Durairaj | Hit | Similar → |
| 2019 | Bigil | Michael 'Bigil' Rayappan / Rayappan | Average | Similar → |
| 2018 | Sarkar | Sundar Ramasamy | Average | Similar → |
| 2017 | Mersal | Vetrimaaran/ Vetri/ Maaran | Hit | Similar → |
| 2017 | Bairavaa | Bairavaa | Average | Similar → |
| 2016 | Theri | Vijay / Joseph Kuruvilla | Hit | Similar → |
| 2014 | Kaththi | Kathiresan / Jeevanandham | Hit | Similar → |
| 2014 | Jilla | Sakthi | Average | Similar → |
| 2013 | Thalaivaa | Vishwa (Vishwa Bhai) | Flop | Similar → |
| 2012 | Thuppakki | Jagadish | Hit | Similar → |
| 2012 | Rowdy Rathore | Special Appearance in "Chinta Ta Ta Chita Chita" song | Average | Similar → |
| 2012 | Nanban | Panchavan "Pari" Pariventhan / Kosaksi "Pappu" Pasapugazh | Hit | Similar → |
| 2011 | Velayudham | Velayudham | Flop | Similar → |
| 2011 | Kaavalan | Bhoominathan | Average | Similar → |
| 2007 | Azhagiya Tamil Magan | Guru / Prasad | Flop | Similar → |
| 2007 | Pokkiri | Tamizh | Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Sivakasi | Sivakasi / Muthappa | Flop | Similar → |
| 2005 | Sachein | Sachin | Average | Similar → |
| 2005 | Thirupaachi | Sivagiri | Average | Similar → |
| 2004 | Ghilli | Saravanavelu | Hit | Similar → |
| 2004 | Udhaya | Udhaya Kumar | Flop | Similar → |
| 2003 | Thirumalai | Thirumalai | Average | Similar → |
| 2003 | Vaseegara | Bhoopathy | Average | Similar → |
| 2002 | Bagavathi | Bagavathi | Average | Similar → |
| 2002 | Youth | Shiva | Average | Similar → |
| 2002 | Thamizhan | Surya | Average | Similar → |
| 2001 | Shahjahan | Ashok | Hit | Similar → |
| 2001 | Badri | Badri | Average | Similar → |
| 2001 | Friends | Aravindan | Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | Priyamaanavale | Vijay Vishwanathan | Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | Kushi | Shiva | Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | Kannukkul Nilavu | Gautham Prabhakar | Average | Similar → |
| 1999 | Minsara Kanna | Kannan | Average | Similar → |
| 1999 | Nenjinile | Karunkaran | Average | Similar → |
| 1999 | Endrendrum Kadhal | Vijay | Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | Thulladha Manamum Thullum | Kutty | Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | Nilaave Vaa | Siluvai | Average | Similar → |
| 1998 | Priyamudan | Vasanth | Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | Ninaithen Vandhai | Gokula Krishnan Gounder (Gokul) | Average | Similar → |
| 1997 | Kadhalukku Mariyaadai | Jeevanandhan | Average | Similar → |
| 1997 | Nerrukku Ner | Vijay | Average | Similar → |
| 1997 | Once More | Vijay | Average | Similar → |
| 1997 | Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen | Kannan | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | Poove Unakkaga | Raja | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | Coimbatore Mappillai | Balu | Flop | Similar → |
| 1995 | Deva | Deva | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | Naan Sigappu Manithan | Child Artist (Uncredited Role) | Average | Similar → |
Vijay - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Vijay?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Vijay is "Ghilli" with a rating of 7.2/10.
How many movies has Vijay acted in?
Vijay has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Vijay?
Other notable films include "Shahjahan", "Thulladha Manamum Thullum", and "Priyamudan".




