Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar (Tamil: ஜோசெப் விஜய் சந்திரசேகர்; born on June 22, 1974), better known as Ilayathalapathy Vijay, is a Tamil film actor. He is the son of film producer and director S. A. Chandrasekhar. After performing uncredited roles as a child actor in films produced by his father, he made his film debut as a lead role actor in the 1992 film Naalaya Theerpu. Since then, he acted in several films of action and romance genres. He has also worked as a playback singer in most of his films, as well as a few films starring other actors. During his career in the Tamil film industry, he has won three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and was nominated for one Filmfare Award.
Vijay has starred in several romance and action films, including the commercially successful films Poove Unakkaga (1996), Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997), Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999), Kushi (2000), Priyamaanavale (2000), Ghilli (2004) and Pokkiri (2007). In the year 2002, Vijay was chosen as Coca Cola's brand ambassador in Tamil Nadu. He had acted in a variety of South Indian Coca Cola advertisements, along with Katrina Kaif. In January 2009, Vijay was once again chosen as the brand ambassador for Coca Cola products.[13] In 2008, Vijay was signed up as the star ambassador for the Indian Premier League cricket team Chennai Super Kings, along with actress Nayanthara. As of August 2010, Vijay was signed by Jos Alukkas as their brand ambassador for Tamil Nadu.
During his childhood, Vijay performed in uncredited roles as a child actor in films produced by his father, S. A. Chandrasekhar. At the age of 18, Vijay debuted as a lead actor in the 1992 film Naalaya Theerpu, also directed by his father. In his second film, he co-stared with Vijayakanth in the film Sendhoorapandi. His following films were Rasigan and Deva. In his fifth film Rajavin Parvaiyile in 1993, he co-starred with actor Ajith Kumar. Also released that year were romance films Vishnu and Chandralekha. The following year, Vijay acted in Coimbatore Mappillai and the Vikraman-directed Poove Unakkaga. Vijay's tenth film was Vasantha Vasal which was followed by action films Maanbumigu Maanavan and Selva. In 1997, he starred in Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen and Love Today, and Once More. In his next film, the Mani Ratnam-produced Nerukku Ner, directed by Vasanth. He wrapped up that year with Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, which was directed by Fazil and earned him a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor. In 1998, Vijay worked in Ninaithen Vandhai, Priyamudan, and Nilaave Vaa. In 1999, he starred in the film Thulladha Manamum Thullum. The following films were Endrendrum Kadhal, Nenjinile, Minsara Kanna.
At the start of the new millennium he did Kannukkul Nilavu with Fazil. His next venture Kushi was directed by S. J. Suryah. At the end of the year, he acted in Priyamanavale. His work in 2001 included comedy film Friends, directed by Siddique, also starring Surya Sivakumar for the second time after Nerukku Ner. Badri, an action and drama flick, was followed by the romance film, Shahjahan. In 2002, he starred in Thamizhan and Youth; with Bagavathi, coming out at the end of the year. The following year he released Vaseegara and Pudhiya Geethai. The action-romance flick, Thirumalai, followed, with Udhaya, a film which began filming in 2002 but became delayed, finally released at the start of 2004.
Awards and honours
Won
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor for Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1998)
Tamil Nadu State Film Award - Special Prize for Best Actor for Thirupaachi (2005)
Vijay Award for Entertainer of the Year for Pokkiri (2007)
Vijay Award for Favourite Hero for Vettaikaaran (2009)
Nominated
Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award for Pokkiri (2007)
Vijay Award for Favourite Hero for Kuruvi (2008)
Vijay Award for Best Actor for Vettaikaran (2009)
Honours
Kalaimamani (1998)
Honorary doctorate (2007)
