An actor, dancer, playback singer, and philanthropist. With over sixty movies, he is the second highest-grossing actor in Tamil. He is the only non-Malayali actor after Allu Arjun, who has a solid fanbase in Kerala. The receiver of many awards and titles in real life is a very humble and responsible person.
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar loved his sister immensely. He loved to play with her and make her happy. So much so that he even used to walk on his hands from school to home that made his sister laugh. He used to be a very naughty, energetic, and talkative child. But he got quiet when his sister died of an illness when she was two.
He didn’t let the memories of his sister fade away. He takes an off from work on her birthday and deathday to spend time with his family and remember her. He named his production house VV Productions, i.e.; Vidhya -Vijay Productions.
Since Vijay belonged to a family with a background in the movies, he had worked in some films as a child artist. It is well known that he is a huge fan of Rajnikanth and considers him irreplaceable in Tamil Cinema. If it weren’t for him, Vijay might not even have considered entering the industry. He even used the lines of Annamalai to get the role in his first movie.
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar’s first movie didn’t earn him much appreciation and didn’t do well overall. But later, he gave three back-to-back brilliant movies that silenced all his critics. His performance, acting, and dancing skills amazed everyone, and he gathered much love.
Ilaya Thalapathy means Young Commander. After Vijay delivered his first commercial hit, i.e., Rasigan, his fans fondly started calling him Ilayathalapathy. For three decades, Vijay was lovingly called Ilayathapathy by his fans, and it became his identity.
Later, when he was in his forties, in his movie Mersal, he decided to be credited as Thalapathy (commander, leader) and shed Ilaya (young). His fans celebrated this change like a carnival and began calling him Thalapathy.
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar is loved so much by his fans that they get immensely hurt if they fail to get his movie tickets. So much so that they ended their lives. Over the years, there have been numerous incidents, such as in 2013 when Thalaiva was released; a fan committed suicide when he couldn’t get his movie’s tickets.
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar believes that movies are just for entertainment and commerce, and this he conveys to his audience often. He is often seen urging people to take entertainment as it is. When you watch a movie, relax and take everything positive you can take from it and ignore all the negativities you find as that was not the film’s motive.
The actor initially did “masala films” and played playboy, lover, and action hero roles. His movies slowly transitioned into thrillers or those that revolved in social, environmental, and political reforms. He is often known for his social work, and slowly and steadily, he shunned his shyness and started giving public speeches on such issues.
Vijay often finds himself in political situations due to the statements made by him in his films. Irrespective of his support to various political causes, such as supporting Anna Hazare for the Lokpal Bill and Supporting Jallikattu protests, the actor has clearly stated that he is not entering politics. He has even gone to the extent of filing a case against his parents among eleven other people for using his name in their new political party. He felt really bad when people misuse his name to give their agendas mileage.
Vijay is majorly known for his social work. He acknowledges his popularity and uses it to move people and society for its benefit. He celebrates his birthday and such special occasions by doing social services. He donates gold rings to the newborns at Egmore Government Hospital every year on his birthday. He did short films to encourage people to continue their studies and prevent dropouts. He often donates books and other stationery supplies to the poor kids.
When the South Indian Film Artists Association (SIFAA) organized protests against the ill-treatment of Sri Lankan Tamils, he actively participated to show his support and did fasts. He independently as well conducted an eight-hour-long fast to show his protest.
He started his foundation, Makkal Iyakkam Social Welfare Organisation, in 2009 and distributes awards to the bright young students of Tamil Nadu. He also funds the education of thirty-two children every year through his organization.
His organization is also active in providing relief to people in any distress, such as arranging relief camps for cyclones.
Looking at Vijay’s journey, it can be said that he justified his name by truly coming out as victorious. His movies and business ventures are all successful.
