Vijay: The superstar and political leader shaped by his father

CHENNAI: Director S.A. Chandrasekhar had two primary dreams for his son, Vijay. The first was for Vijay to become a superstar like Rajinikanth. The second was for him to leverage that stardom to become the Chief Minister. While the first dream was realised years ago, the second will come true today.

Chandrasekhar was instrumental in transforming the naturally introverted Vijay into a "mass" hero known for his powerful punch dialogues. Vijay made his acting debut as a child artist in the 1984 film Vetri, directed by his father. After a few more roles as a child actor, he debuted as a lead hero at the age of 18 in the 1992 film Naalaiya Theerpu, also helmed by Chandrasekhar.

The turning point in Vijay’s career came in 1996 with Vikraman’s massive hit, Poove Unakkage, which made him a favourite among family audiences. A string of successes like Love Today, Thulladha Manamum Thullum, Kushi, and Friends established him as a top-tier actor. It was during this period that he earned the title "Ilaya Thalapathy."

The 2003 film Thirumalai marked his transition from a romantic hero to an action star. Hits like Ghilli (2004), Thirupaachi (2005), and Pokkiri (2007) dominated the box office. With blockbusters like Thuppakki, Kaththi, Sarkar, Theri, Mersal, Bigil, and Master, he evolved into "Thalapathy." His film Leo achieved a record-breaking milestone, crossing the 500-crore mark in record time.

Beyond acting, Vijay is also a playback singer. His song "Bombay City Sukka Rotti" in the film Rasigan, alongside Chithra, gained significant popularity. He has also lent his voice to songs in Sachien, Thuppakki, Thalaivaa, and Jilla. His mother, Shoba, who is a musician, is his mentor in singing.

Vijay’s political journey gained a formal structure on February 2, 2024, with the formation of his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). His fan association, Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, registered in 2009, served as the foundation for his political entry. Movies like Kaththi, Mersal, and Sarkar often addressed public issues such as corruption, farmers' struggles, and healthcare.

Regarding his personal life, Vijay attended Fatima School and Balalok School in Chennai. He later enrolled at Loyola College for a degree in Visual Communications but discontinued his studies to focus on his acting career. On August 25, 1999, he married Sangeetha Sornalingam, a Sri Lankan Tamil and a devoted fan. The couple has two children: a son, Jason Sanjay, and a daughter, Divya Sasha.