Today, we celebrate a milestone in the life of one of Tamil cinema’s most beloved actors, Thalapathy Vijay, as he turns 50. With a career spanning over three decades, Vijay has captivated audiences with his versatile performances, charismatic screen presence and dedication to his craft. This article pays tribute to the legendary actor, exploring his journey, his most popular films and the songs that have made him a household name.
Vijay was born on 22nd June 1974 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He is the son of renowned filmmaker S. A. Chandrasekhar and singer Shoba Chandrasekhar. Vijay made his acting debut as a child artist in the film “Vetri” (1984), directed by his father. His first lead role came in the 1992 film “Naalaiya Theerpu”, and since then, there has been no looking back. He was 18 years old when he acted his first lead role.
Vijay’s career is marked by a series of blockbuster hits and critically acclaimed performances. Known for his dancing skills, action sequences and ability to effortlessly switch between genres, Vijay has earned a massive fan following, affectionately known as “Thalapathy” (commander).
As it is his birthday today, let’s celebrate the actor with his most popular films and songs he has sung.
Films of Thalapathy Vijay That Are Fan Favorite
1) Ghilli (2004)
Directed by Dharani, “Ghilli” is a high-octane action film where Vijay plays the role of Saravanavelu, a state-level kabaddi player who rescues a girl named Dhanalakshmi (played by Trisha) from a ruthless faction leader, Muthupandi (Prakash Raj). The film is famous for its thrilling action sequences, engaging storylin, Vijay’s energetic performance and Muthupandi’s villainism.
The chemistry between Vijay and Trisha, along with the iconic “Appadi Podu” song, further cemented the film’s place in Tamil cinema history. “Ghilli” was a major commercial success and became one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of its time.
2) Thuppakki (2012)
In this A. R. Murugadoss directorial and music composed by Harris Jayaraj. Vijay portrays Captain Jagadish, an army officer on a mission to thwart terrorist attacks planned by a sleeper cell in Mumbai. Kajal Aggarwal plays the female lead. The film’s gripping storyline, combined with Vijay’s intense performance and sharp dialogues, captivated audiences. “Thuppakki” is famous for its slick action sequences and strong patriotic theme.
3) Mersal (2017)
Directed by Atlee, “Mersal” features Vijay in a triple role. Vetrimaaran( a village chief), Dr. Maaran (a doctor) and Vetri (a magician). The film addresses social issues and corruption in the medical industry, with Vijay’s performances in all three roles receiving widespread acclaim. Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kajal Aggarwal and Nithya Menen play the female leads. S.J Suryah, Sathyaraj , Kovai Sarala and Vadivelu were also in the film.
The film’s engaging storyline and powerful social message resonated deeply with audiences. “Mersal” won several awards and was a commercial success marking it as highest grossing film of Vijay’s career.
4) Kaththi (2014)
Another collaboration with A. R. Murugadoss, “Kaththi” sees Vijay in a dual role as Kathiresan and Jeevanandham. The film tackles corporate exploitation and farmers’ struggles, with Vijay delivering a compelling performance in both roles.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu plays the female lead. The film’s gripping narrative, coupled with Anirudh Ravichander’s memorable soundtrack, made it a commercial and critical success. Apart from that, Neil Nithin Mukesh, Tota Roy Chowdry and Satish has also played a crucial role in it.
“Kaththi” received several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Film (Tamil) and IIFA Awards.
5) Master (2021)
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, “Master” stars Vijay as JD, an alcoholic professor sent to a juvenile school, where he takes on Bhavani (played by Vijay Sethupathi), a ruthless crime boss exploiting the school. The film’s intense storyline, combined with Vijay’s dynamic performance and electrifying face-off with Vijay Sethupathi, made it a box-office hit.
Malavika Mohanan plays the female lead. “Master” is famous for its engaging screenplay and powerful performances. The film won the South Indian International Movie Award for Best Film.
6) Bigil (2019)
Another film with Atlee, “Bigil” showcases Vijay as Michael, also known as Bigil, a former football player who turns into a coach to fulfill his friend’s dream of coaching a women’s football team. The film’s inspiring storyline, powerful performances and social message about women’s empowerment received widespread acclaim.
Nayanthara plays the female lead. “Bigil” is famous for its uplifting narrative and impressive football sequences. Apart from that there were a huge cast of womens who played crucial roles as the the women football team. The film won several awards, including the South Indian International Movie Award for Best Film.
7) Pokkiri (2007)
Directed by Prabhu Deva, “Pokkiri” is an action-packed film where Vijay plays a fearless and ruthless undercover cop masquerading as a thug. The film’s entertainment value, action sequences and Vijay’s swagger contributed to its success.
Asin plays the female lead, and the chemistry between the lead pair was well-received. The song “Aadungada Yennai Suthi” became particularly popular. “Pokkiri” was a major commercial success and established Vijay as a bankable star in action films.
8) Nanban (2012)
A remake of the Hindi film “3 Idiots,” directed by Shankar, “Nanban” features Vijay as Panchavan Pariventhan (Pari), a free-spirited engineering student who challenges the conventional education system. The film’s blend of humor, emotion and poignant social commentary struck a chord with audiences.
Jiiva, Srikanth, Ileana D’Cruz, and Sathyaraj play key roles. “Nanban” is famous for its heartwarming narrative and strong performances by the ensemble cast. The film won several awards, including the Vijay Award for Favourite Film.
9) Jilla (2014)
Directed by R. T. Neason, “Jilla” stars Vijay alongside Mohanlal in a compelling father-son drama. Vijay plays Shakthi, a loyal henchman to his adoptive father Sivan (Mohanlal), a powerful don. The film’s narrative explores themes of loyalty, justice, and redemption.
The dynamic between Vijay and Mohanlal was a highlight and the film’s music, including the song “Kandaangi Kandaangi,” sung by Vijay and Shreya Ghoshal, was well-received. “Jilla” was a commercial success and praised for its engaging storyline and powerful performances. Kajal Aggarawal played the female lead in the film. Along with a huge cast.
10) Leo (2023)
Again with Lokesh Kanagaraj, Leo is a action thriller film. Vijay starred as Leo Das/Parthiban. The story revolves around Parthi owns a coffee shop and a animal rescuer, gets involved with a group of robbers. After being seen in public, a group of gangsters Harold Das and Anthony Das pursues Parthi as they claim he is Anthony’s song Leo.
The film was a hit, marking it as third highest grossing Tamil films of all time. Trisha, Arjun, Sanjay Dutt , Gautham Vasudevan Menon and a few more talented actors played a crucial role in the film.
Songs that were sung by Thalapathy Vijay That Are Fan Favorite
In addition to his acting prowess, Vijay has also lent his voice to several popular songs. Here are a few notable ones
1) Google Google from Thuppakki
Composed by Harris Jayaraj. Vijay sung Google Google along with Andrea Jeremiah. A catchy, upbeat song that became an instant hit. The lyrics was penned by Madhan Karky.
2) Selfie Pulla from Kaththi
Composed by Anirudh Ravichander, Selfie Pulla was a hit song as the year of the song release was when selfie was becoming popular. The song was sung by Vijay and Sunidhi Chauhan. Lyrics was penned by Madhan Karky once again. Selfie Pulla is an energetic number that remains a favorite among fans.
3) Vaadi Vaadi From Sachein
Composed by Devi Sri Praasad (DSP) , Vaadi Vaadi is from the film Sachein, which released in 2005. The film starred Genelia as the female lead. Vaadi Vaadi is a a playful and fun song showcasing Vijay’s charm. Till date it is one of the favorite songs from Thalapathy Vijay’s. The song also had Vadivelu’s voice to give a comedic sound.
4) Kandaangi Kandaangi from Thuppakki
Composed by D. Imman, Vijay sung this song along with Shreya Goshal. The song is a romantic duet that highlights Vijay’s vocal abilities. The lyrics was penned by Vairamuthu.
5) Vanganna Vanakkanganna from Thalaivaa (2013)
Thalaivaa was composed by G.V Prakash with all hit songs. One of the songs that Vijay sung was vanganna vanakkanganna. A lively and entertaining track which made fans vibe to it. The film starred Sathyaraj, Amala Paul and Santhanam. The lyrics for this song was penend by Na Muthukumar.
Thalapathy Vijay’s journey from a young actor to a superstar is nothing short of inspirational. His dedication, talent, and ability to connect with audiences have cemented his place in the annals of Tamil cinema. As he celebrates his 50th birthday, we look forward to many more years of his incredible performances and contributions to the film industry.
Happy Birthday, Ilayathalapathy!
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