Early career: 1992-2002
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.
Ups and downs: 2003-2009
Ghilli, which was released in 2004. Directed by S. Dharani and produced by A. M. Rathnam, it was a remake of the Telugu film Okkadu. It was followed by Madhurey. The following year, 2005, the Perarasu-directed masala film Thirupaachi, the romantic flick, Sachein, and another masala film, Sivakasi, again by Perarasu were released. Vijay appeared in Aadhi in 2006, followed by a short hiatus. He later accepted to work in Pokkiri which was directed by Prabhu Deva and released in 2007. Later that year, Vijay starred in the romantic drama film Azhagiya Thamizh Magan, and for the first time, he appeared in dual roles, as both the antagonist and protagonist. In 2008, he starred in the action film Kuruvi, again under Dharani's direction. The year 2009 started off with the action masala film Villu, which was directed by Prabhu Deva and had Vijay in dual roles for the second time in his career. Vijay's next film, Vettaikaaran, was directed by Babu Sivan, produced by AVM Productions and distributed by Sun Pictures.
2010 onwards
In 2010, Vijay's 50th film Sura, another Sun Pictures distribution, released with mixed reviews, but became one of his worst failures.
Vijay is currently working with Siddique again for Kaavalan, the Tamil remake of the Malayalam film Bodyguard. He is also working with Aascar Films for Velayudham, which will, after much speculation, be directed by M. Raja. Vijay is also reportedly chosen for the lead role in Rascal, the Tamil remake of the 2009 Bollywood film 3 Idiots, to be directed by S. Shankar.N. Lingusamy, Vikram Kumar and Sebastian Seeman also announced their next films to have Vijay in the lead.
