Vijay (born 22 June 1974), whose full name is C. Joseph Vijay and who is popularly known as “Thalapathy”, is an Indian actor and politician. He has been Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu since May 2026. One of the biggest stars in Tamil cinema, with hits such as Ghilli, Thuppakki, Mersal, Master and Leo, he founded the party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in 2024. In its very first election, in 2026, TVK became the largest party in the state.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Chandrasekaran Joseph Vijay |
| Born | 22 June 1974, Madras (now Chennai), India |
| Age | 52 |
| Known as | Thalapathy |
| Office | Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (since 10 May 2026) |
| Party | Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), founder |
| Constituency | Perambur |
| Parents | S. A. Chandrasekhar (director), Shoba Chandrasekhar (singer) |
| Spouse | Sangeetha Sornalingam (m. 1999) |
| Children | Jason Sanjay, Divya Saasha |
Early Life
Vijay was born in Chennai to film director S. A. Chandrasekhar and playback singer Shoba Chandrasekhar. He appeared as a child actor in several of his father’s films, beginning with Vetri (1984).
Film Career
Vijay made his debut as a lead actor at 18 in Naalaiya Theerpu (1992), directed by his father. His early films drew mixed reviews, but the romantic hit Poove Unakkaga (1996) established him, and Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997) won him a Tamil Nadu State Film Award.
In the 2000s Vijay reinvented himself as an action star with Thirumalai, the blockbuster Ghilli (2004) and Pokkiri (2007). His collaborations with director A. R. Murugadoss, Thuppakki (2012) and Kaththi (2014), and with Atlee, Theri, Mersal and Bigil, made him one of the highest-paid actors in India. Several of these films carried strong social and political messages.
Vijay’s later hits include Master (2021), Varisu (2023) with Rashmika Mandanna, Leo (2023) and The Greatest of All Time (2024). He announced that Jana Nayagan, released in July 2026, would be his final film before he devoted himself to politics. He has also sung many popular songs in his own films.
Political Career
Vijay’s fan clubs were organised into the welfare body Vijay Makkal Iyakkam in 2009. On 2 February 2024 he launched his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. In September 2025 a crush at a crowded TVK rally in Karur killed 41 people. The tragedy led to a CBI investigation, and Vijay was questioned as part of it.
In the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, TVK won 108 seats and became the single largest party, ending decades of dominance by the DMK and AIADMK. Vijay won from both Perambur and Trichy East and kept Perambur. He was sworn in as Chief Minister on 10 May 2026 at the head of a coalition government that includes the Congress.
Personal Life
Vijay married Sangeetha Sornalingam, a fan from Sri Lanka who grew up in the UK, in 1999. They have a son, Jason Sanjay, who is pursuing a career as a film director, and a daughter, Divya Saasha, who appeared briefly in Theri.
Selected Filmography
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Vijay born?
Vijay was born on 22 June 1974 in Madras (now Chennai), India.
