Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, Joseph Vijay, Thalapathy
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar (born 22 June 1974) is an Indian actor and chief minister-elect as of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election. In an acting career spanning over three decades in Tamil cinema, he has starred in 69 films in a lead role and is amongst the highest paid actors in India. He is one of the most commercially successful actors in the industry with multiple films amongst the list of highest-grossing Tamil films. He has won several awards as an actor. Referred to as "Thalapathy" (Tamil for "Commander"), he has a significant fan following. Vijay made his debut as a child actor in the Tamil film Vetri (1984). After playing as a child actor in few of the films directed by his father, he played his first lead role in the film Naalaiya Theerpu (1992) at the age of 18. He continued doing lead roles for the next few years and notable films amongst them included Poove Unakkaga (1996), Love Today (1997), Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997), Thullatha Manamum Thullum (1999), Kushi (2000), Priyamaanavale (2000) and Friends (2001). He starred in the commercially successful action films Thirumalai (2003) and Ghilli (2004), transitioning away from romance films. With subsequent successes of Thirupaachi (2005) and Pokkiri (2007), he established himself as one of the leading and commercially successful actors in Tamil cinema. Following a period of moderate success, Vijay acted in several critically and commercially successful films starting from the early 2010s including Thuppakki (2012), Kaththi (2014), Mersal (2017), Sarkar (2018), Master (2021), Beast (2022), Leo (2023), and The Greatest of All Time (2024). In February 2024, Vijay announced his retirement from films and his entry into politics with the launch of his political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. His final film Jana Nayagan is yet to release. In the 2026 Assembly election, his party emerged as the single largest in the assembly, though it was not able to reach the majority mark.
Kamal Haasan Expresses Pride in Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay; States ‘He Should Be Viewed Beyond His Film Career’ - zoomtventertainment.com Kamal Haasan Expresses Pride in Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay; States ‘He Should Be Viewed Beyond His Film Career’ zoomtventertainment.com
Kamal Haasan proud of Vijay's journey, says he's no longer just an actor - India Today Kamal Haasan proud of Vijay's journey, says he's no longer just an actor India Today
1st Time CM Vijay Shocking But Surprising! - M9.news 1st Time CM Vijay Shocking But Surprising! M9.news
Vijay Wins Trust Vote With 144 MLAs: TVK Secures Majority In Tamil Nadu - Outlook India Vijay Wins Trust Vote With 144 MLAs: TVK Secures Majority In Tamil Nadu Outlook India
Vijay Wins Trust Vote With 144 MLAs: TVK Secures Majority In Tamil Nadu - Outlook India Vijay Wins Trust Vote With 144 MLAs: TVK Secures Majority In Tamil Nadu Outlook India
The Unavoidable Transition of Thalapathy Vijay from Film Icon to Political Figure - zoomtventertainment.com The Unavoidable Transition of Thalapathy Vijay from Film Icon to Political Figure zoomtventertainment.com
Sudarsan Pattnaik's Massive Sand Art For Vijay After TVK's 2026 Win Gets Thalapathy's Praise - Asianet Newsable Sudarsan Pattnaik's Massive Sand Art For Vijay After TVK's 2026 Win Gets Thalapathy's Praise Asianet Newsable
CM Vijay Backs Trisha's Karuppu Ahead of Its Release - 9 AM Screenings AUTHORIZED in Tamil Nadu Following Unprecedented Advance Reservations - zoomtventertainment.com CM Vijay Backs Trisha's Karuppu Ahead of Its Release - 9 AM Screenings AUTHORIZED in Tamil Nadu Following Unprecedented Advance Reservations zoomtventertainment.com
Video | Vijay Wins Floor Test With 144 Votes, 24 AIADMK MLAs Vote For Him - NDTV Video | Vijay Wins Floor Test With 144 Votes, 24 AIADMK MLAs Vote For Him NDTV
Vijay Wins Floor Test With 144 Votes, 24 AIADMK MLAs Vote For Him - NDTV Vijay Wins Floor Test With 144 Votes, 24 AIADMK MLAs Vote For Him NDTV
Meet Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, Vijay's astrologer who landed key government post - India Today Meet Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, Vijay's astrologer who landed key government post India Today
Vijay fans in Kerala wait for official nod to form TVK unit in the state - The News Minute Vijay fans in Kerala wait for official nod to form TVK unit in the state The News Minute
Vijay's floor test splits AIADMK. Will Thalapathy go the Yediyurappa way? - The Times of India Vijay's floor test splits AIADMK. Will Thalapathy go the Yediyurappa way? The Times of India
'Unacceptable': Allies slam Vijay over astrologer’s appointment in CM office - The Times of India 'Unacceptable': Allies slam Vijay over astrologer’s appointment in CM office The Times of India
Video | Fans Call Trisha Vijay's 'Lucky Charm' After TVK's Historic Tamil Nadu Victory - NDTV Video | Fans Call Trisha Vijay's 'Lucky Charm' After TVK's Historic Tamil Nadu Victory NDTV
Video | Trisha's Presence At Vijay's Oath Gets Internet Talking - NDTV Video | Trisha's Presence At Vijay's Oath Gets Internet Talking NDTV
Tamil Nadu chief minister: Vijay's swearing-in date finalised - MSN Tamil Nadu chief minister: Vijay's swearing-in date finalised MSN
Rajinikanth folds hands, avoids commenting on CM Vijay at Chennai airport. Video - India Today Rajinikanth folds hands, avoids commenting on CM Vijay at Chennai airport. Video India Today
Bullsh*t: Author Manu Joseph, Vijay’s Former Classmate, Slams CM’s ‘Poor Childhood’ Claim - Deccan Chronicle Bullsh*t: Author Manu Joseph, Vijay’s Former Classmate, Slams CM’s ‘Poor Childhood’ Claim Deccan Chronicle
"Comrades... No Banners, Posters, Please": Vijay's TVK Makes Appeal - NDTV "Comrades... No Banners, Posters, Please": Vijay's TVK Makes Appeal NDTV
Rajinikanth smiles, refuses to comment when asked about Vijay becoming CM of Tamil Nadu. Watch | Hindustan Times - Hindustan Times Rajinikanth smiles, refuses to comment when asked about Vijay becoming CM of Tamil Nadu. Watch | Hindustan Times Hindustan Times
Vijay’s astrologer who predicted TVK victory a year ago appointed Officer on Special Duty (OSD) - The Times of India Vijay’s astrologer who predicted TVK victory a year ago appointed Officer on Special Duty (OSD) The Times of India
Actor Vishal Reacts To Vijay's 'Liquor Ban' In Tamil Nadu: "What A Move" - NDTV Actor Vishal Reacts To Vijay's 'Liquor Ban' In Tamil Nadu: "What A Move" NDTV
AIADMK backing, floor test, one less MLA: What next for Tamil Nadu CM Vijay | India News - Hindustan Times AIADMK backing, floor test, one less MLA: What next for Tamil Nadu CM Vijay | India News Hindustan Times
CMO Tamil Nadu Pages on Social Media See a Massive Surge - Deccan Chronicle CMO Tamil Nadu Pages on Social Media See a Massive Surge Deccan Chronicle
"Smeared With Soot": DMK Jabs Vijay In Vande Mataram, Tamil Anthem Row - NDTV "Smeared With Soot": DMK Jabs Vijay In Vande Mataram, Tamil Anthem Row NDTV
Stalin can pull strings in Vijay govt, but TVK has a plan B - India Today Stalin can pull strings in Vijay govt, but TVK has a plan B India Today
Top 6 must-watch movies of Thalapathy Vijay: Ghilli to Leo amid TN elections 2026 buzz - MSN Top 6 must-watch movies of Thalapathy Vijay: Ghilli to Leo amid TN elections 2026 buzz MSN
Beyond politics: Actor Simran reacts to Vijay meeting Stalin as Tamil Nadu CM - India Today Beyond politics: Actor Simran reacts to Vijay meeting Stalin as Tamil Nadu CM India Today
New Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, New 'Liquor Ban': Vijay Shuts 717 Shops - NDTV New Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, New 'Liquor Ban': Vijay Shuts 717 Shops NDTV
Katrina Kaif's two-decade old commercial with Thalapathy Vijay goes viral, actress once said, 'I like the way he...': WATCH - Firstpost Katrina Kaif's two-decade old commercial with Thalapathy Vijay goes viral, actress once said, 'I like the way he...': WATCH Firstpost
When Vijay Spoke About Son Sanjay Who Didn't Attend His Oath Taking Ceremony - NDTV When Vijay Spoke About Son Sanjay Who Didn't Attend His Oath Taking Ceremony NDTV
Trisha Krishnan’s blue saree at Vijay’s swearing-in reminds fans of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s iconic look - The Times of India Trisha Krishnan’s blue saree at Vijay’s swearing-in reminds fans of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s iconic look The Times of India
India’s Tamil Nadu state elects first Christian chief minister, actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay - Christian Post India’s Tamil Nadu state elects first Christian chief minister, actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay Christian Post
S J Suryah recalls 'Varisu' promise while congratulating Thalapathy Vijay; actor-director takes up a new challenge - MSN S J Suryah recalls 'Varisu' promise while congratulating Thalapathy Vijay; actor-director takes up a new challenge MSN
Why Vijay isn’t just another actor-turned-politician - The Times of India Why Vijay isn’t just another actor-turned-politician The Times of India
They voted for whistle: Vijay visits Vaiko, his domestic helps can't keep calm - India Today They voted for whistle: Vijay visits Vaiko, his domestic helps can't keep calm India Today
What Book Did LoP Udhayanidhi Stalin Gift To CM Joseph Vijay? - Deccan Chronicle What Book Did LoP Udhayanidhi Stalin Gift To CM Joseph Vijay? Deccan Chronicle
Watch| Trisha gets mobbed, struggles to find way out after Vijay's swearing-in ceremony - Deccan Herald Watch| Trisha gets mobbed, struggles to find way out after Vijay's swearing-in ceremony Deccan Herald
When Vijay spoke about bond with son Jason Sanjay; family skips swearing-in: ‘No clue what’s in his mind’ - The Indian Express When Vijay spoke about bond with son Jason Sanjay; family skips swearing-in: ‘No clue what’s in his mind’ The Indian Express
Thalapathy Vijay And The Black Suit That Ushered In A New Era In Tamil Nadu Politics - Esquire India Thalapathy Vijay And The Black Suit That Ushered In A New Era In Tamil Nadu Politics Esquire India
Mohanlal on Vijay's superstardom: There is an unknowable magic - India Today Mohanlal on Vijay's superstardom: There is an unknowable magic India Today
'From Reel Hero To Real Leader': Jana Nayagan Producer Praises Chief Minister Vijay - NDTV 'From Reel Hero To Real Leader': Jana Nayagan Producer Praises Chief Minister Vijay NDTV
Vijay Meets Ex Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Days After Big Poll Win - NDTV Vijay Meets Ex Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Days After Big Poll Win NDTV
Priyanka Chopra Recalls Working With Vijay in Her Debut Film Thamizhan - Deccan Chronicle Priyanka Chopra Recalls Working With Vijay in Her Debut Film Thamizhan Deccan Chronicle
Mohanlal on Vijay’s superstardom making him the CM: 'There’s an unknowable magic that…' - Cinema Express Mohanlal on Vijay’s superstardom making him the CM: 'There’s an unknowable magic that…' Cinema Express
From Annadurai to Vijay: How ‘Aachi’ Manorama is the only actress to share screen space with 7 Chief Mini - The Times of India From Annadurai to Vijay: How ‘Aachi’ Manorama is the only actress to share screen space with 7 Chief Mini The Times of India
CM Thalapathy Vijay's Last Movie Jana Nayagan Gets Major Release Update - Asianet Newsable CM Thalapathy Vijay's Last Movie Jana Nayagan Gets Major Release Update Asianet Newsable
Trisha Krishnan serves timeless South Indian elegance in teal silk saree at Vijay's oath-taking event - India TV News Trisha Krishnan serves timeless South Indian elegance in teal silk saree at Vijay's oath-taking event India TV News
'Karuppu' star Trisha Krishnan shares cryptic Instagram post after Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony: 'The lov - The Times of India 'Karuppu' star Trisha Krishnan shares cryptic Instagram post after Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony: 'The lov The Times of India
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