Vijay is one of the most loved actors in the Southern film fraternity. However, his journey has had its fair share of ups and downs. Read to know more.
Vijay, born Joseph Vijay Chandrashekar, is an actor and playback singer who has predominantly worked in the Tamil film fraternity. However, after three decades, 68 films and one of the most successful commercial careers, Vijay said goodbye to his acting gig as he decided to devote himself to politics. But how did the blockbuster star land himself in the world of politics?
Vijay was born in Chennai to director, S.A. Chandrasekhar and playback singer and vocalist, Shoba Chandrasekhar. The actor made his acting debut as a child actor at the age of 10 years old in the 1984 film, Vetri. After a few more projects, Vijay got his first lead role in Naalaiya Theerpu at the young age of 18.
Vijay solidified his name in the film fraternity with notable films like the 1996 romantic comedy, Poove Unakkaga, Love Today, Kadhulukku Mariyadhai, and Thulladha Manamum Thullum, among others. In 2004, Vijay delivered the first Tamil film to gross over Rs. 50 crore, the action-masala film, Ghilli. Vijay had an exceedingly successful run in acting. However, it came to an end in 2024, making his 2024 film, The Greatest Of All Time, his penultimate film and Jana Nayagan his last project.
Vijay in his first TVK (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam) political party event in October 2024, addressed his exit from the Tamil film industry. The actor was rumoured to be filming his final projects before departing from the film industry. During the rally, he confirmed he would be leaving his film career behind and focusing on his political career. Addressing the topic Vijay said:
"I have thrown away the peak of my career and I have thrown away the salary..I’m here as your VIJAY with a trust on you all."
While Vijay might have trasitioned fully into politics now. He had once filed a civil case against his own parents, filmmaker, SA Chandrasekar and Shobha. It was in 2021 when the actor revealed that the party that was formed by his parents had no links to him. He had stated that no one was allowed to use his name to organize public meetings or gatherings. The actor had even included his parents in the lawsuit after his father mentioned that he was keen on seeing his son join politics.
The party which was named All India Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam with the Election Commission of India was registered under Vijay’s name with his mother, Shobha as the treasurer of the party, while their relative Padmanabhan was named its President. The entire activity was performed against the actor's permission as revealed by him in the lawsuit. He barred a total of 11 people in the lawsuit including his parents and nine other individuals. He had also released a statement disassociating from his father's political advancements. The statement read:
"I inform my fans and the public that there is no relation whatsoever between the political party that my father has started and me, directly or indirectly."
According to Business Today, Vijay has a net worth of approximately Rs. 600 crores, marking him as one of the wealthiest stars in South Indian cinema. The reports suggest that the former actor earns around Rs. 10 crores from endorsments. He also enjoys a vast car collection, that includes, a Rolls Royce Ghost, BMW X5, Audi A8, and a Ford Mustang valuing garage at Rs. 5 crores. He also owns a lavish seaside bunglow in Casuarina Drive.
What are your thoughts on Vijay's stellar acting career and his switch into the political world?
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