Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar aka Thalapathy Vijay he is known as one of the most famous actors in Tamil cinema and he is the most successful actor in Tollywood or in Indian cinema. Next to the history of Shah Rukh Khan and other stars in cinema, Vijay has found a special place in the hearts of the audience. But his journey included ups and downs, both in his personal and professional life.
The first struggle is rejection
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar started his journey to Tamil cinema as a child actor in films directed by SA Chandrasekhar. His debut as a director ‘Naalaiya Theerpu’ (1992) failed at the box office. The initial reviews were harsh and confusing.According to the Bhaskar English website, critics called him “not a hero.” Although he faced many obstacles, he continued to work hard and smartly. He also worked under his father’s banner in several early projects.
Advances in big cinema
His breakthrough came with ‘Poove Unakkaga’ in 1996. The film struck a chord with the entire family of Tamil Nadu.‘Kadhalukku Mariyadhai’ (1997) added to his romantic hero image. His dance moves and his apparent charm have increased his fan base. The music videos that featured him became very popular among the youth.
Change to ‘Thalapathy’
The beginning of the 2000s was a major turning point in his career. ‘Thirumalai‘ (2003) and ‘Ghilli’ (2004) brought huge box office success. These films made him a huge success.‘Pokkiri’ (2007) and ‘Thuppakki’ (2012) became all-time blockbusters. Fans started calling him “Thalapathy,” which means great.He was known for his fusion, passion, and success. The theme of “Thalapathy” became a trend among fans. While Suriya was called ‘Nadippin Nayagan’ because of his amazing voice which helped him to work hard, Vijay took a different approach which led him straight to the hearts of the audience.
Box office authority and controversy
Vijay has been giving excellent music in the following decade. Movies like ‘Mersal’, ‘Bigil’, ‘Master’, ‘Beast’, ‘Leo’, and ‘Goat’ define his popularity.Several projects have gone through major international events. He became one of the highest paid players in India.Vijay also faced several challenges in his career. Other movies like ‘Puli’, ‘Bairavaa’, and ‘Beast’ received mixed reviews. The political themes in the popular films ‘Kaththi’ and ‘Sarkar’ created controversy.Despite the criticism, opening day collections of Vijay’s films remained very strong, which is a sign that the audience loves him, no matter whether his last film was a failure or not.Coming to his political side, the tragic event in 2025 caused a lot of controversy. As the Hindustan Times reported, he later said, “I feel an indescribable pain, an indescribable sorrow that words cannot describe.” He said, “I will solve the problems.” Don’t get hurt. There is nothing to worry about.” Also rumors of a relationship with Trisha Krishnan and reports of a divorce affected the solo actor. Amidst all these issues, C. Joseph Vijay became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He officially took the oath of office and secrecy on May 10 (2026). The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.His last film “Jana Nayagan” faced delays and legal issues. The predictions they made online led to an investigation into cybercrime. Despite controversies, delays and leaks, Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ became one of the most anticipated releases and fans are still waiting for the official release from the H. Vinoth film team.