Thalapathy Vijay: Career Milestones, Family, and His Final Movie 'Jana Nayagan'!

Vijay’s Full Filmography (1992–2026): A Journey Through 69 Blockbusters!

Widely hailed as the "Thalapathy" (Commander) of Tamil cinema, Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, known simply as Vijay, is one of the most influential figures in Indian entertainment today. As of early 2026, he stands at a historic crossroads, transitioning from his role as a dominant box-office superstar to a full-time political leader with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

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1. Biography: The Making of a Legend

Vijay's journey from a child artist to a "People's Hero" is a testament to his grit and massive fan following.

• Early Life: Born on June 22, 1974, in Chennai to renowned director S.A. Chandrasekhar and playback singer Shoba Chandrasekhar.
• Education: He attended Loyola College, Chennai, before dropping out to pursue acting full-time.
• Family: Married to Sangeetha Sornalingam since 1999; the couple has two children, Jason Sanjay and Divya Saasha.
• Political Entry (2024–2026): In February 2024, Vijay officially launched his political party, TVK, and announced that he would retire from cinema after his 69th film to serve the people of Tamil Nadu.

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2. Career Evolution: From Romantic Hero to Mass Icon

Vijay's career can be divided into three distinct phases that redefined the Tamil film industry:

• The Early Years (1992–2002): After a series of family dramas, films like Poove Unakkaga (1996) and Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997) established him as a romantic favorite.
• The Mass Transformation (2003–2011): The blockbuster success of Ghilli (2004) and Pokkiri (2007) shifted his persona to an action-heavy "Mass Hero," earning him unparalleled loyalty in rural and urban areas alike.
• Global Superstardom (2012–Present): With Thuppakki (2012), Vijay entered the ₹100-crore club. Since then, his films like Mersal (2017), Leo (2023), and The Greatest of All Time (2024) have consistently shattered global box-office records, with Leo alone grossing over ₹600 crore.

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3. Notable Filmography (Highlights)

Vijay has acted in nearly 70 films. Here are the milestones that defined his legacy:

Year	Movie Title	Significance
1992	Naalaiya Theerpu	Lead debut at age 18.
1997	Kadhalukku Mariyadhai	Won Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor.
2004	Ghilli	First Tamil film to cross ₹50 crore; established "Mass" status.
2012	Thuppakki	Major career comeback; directed by A.R. Murugadoss.
2017	Mersal	Triple role performance; massive global success.
2023	Leo	Part of the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU); highest career grosser.
2024	The Greatest of All Time	High-octane sci-fi action; 68th film.
2026	Jana Nayagan	Final Film (Swansong); political action thriller.

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4. Awards & Achievements

Vijay's trophy cabinet reflects his versatility as an actor and singer:

• Tamil Nadu State Film Awards: 3 wins (including Best Actor for Kadhalukku Mariyadhai).
• Vijay Awards: 8 wins (including "Entertainer of the Year" multiple times).
• Honorary Doctorate (2007): Awarded by Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute for his contributions to cinema.
• Global Recognition: Winner of the Best Actor award at the National Film Awards UK (2018) for Mersal.