


It co-starred Trisha and Prakash Raj with Vijay as the lead. 2003–2011: Star status in Tamil cinemaįollowing the action-romance flick Thirumalai in 2003, Ghilli, a film directed by S. Vijay began 2003 with the comedy film Vaseegara and the supernatural film Pudhiya Geethai. Later, he featured in the romantic film Youth and the action film Bagavathi. In 2002, he starred in the action film Thamizhan alongside Hindi actress Priyanka Chopra. His next successful films were Friends, Badri and Shahjahan. In 2000, he performed in Kannukkul Nilavu, which was Vijay's 25th critically successful film, alongside two commercially successful romance films, Kushi and Priyamaanavale. This was followed by the films Endrendrum Kadhal, Nenjinile, and Minsara Kanna. He also starred in the films Nerrukku Ner, Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, Ninaithen Vandhai, Priyamudan and Thulladha Manamum Thullum which released to positive reviews and were commercially successful. In 1997, Vijay acted in Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen which received positive response from critics, and Love Today, which was applauded by audiences. In 1996, Vijay performed in the Vikraman-directed Poove Unakkaga, which he states gave him his "initial breaks" and caused his popularity to "reach great heights". While studying, at the age of 18, he asked his father if "he would launch him". Initially attending Fathima Matriculation Higher Secondary School at Kodambakkam, Vijay later joined the Balalok Matriculation Higher Secondary School at Virugambakkam and went on to pursue a degree in Visual Communications from Loyola College. Vijay had a sister, Vidhya, who died when she was two years old. His father is of Christian descent and his mother is Hindu. Chandrasekhar is a Tamil film director and his mother Shoba Chandrasekhar is a playback singer and carnatic vocalist. Vijay was born as Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar in a Tamil speaking family on 22 June 1974 in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu. He has won several awards, including a South Indian International Movie Award.

Referred to as "Thalapathy", Vijay has a significant following internationally. He has played the lead in 66 films and the International Business Times framed him as a "consistent performer". He is among the highest paid actors in India. Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar (born 22 June 1974), known professionally as Vijay, is an Indian actor and singer who works predominantly in Tamil cinema.
