# Shoba Chandrasekhar
**Shoba Chandrasekhar** (ஷோபா சந்திரசேகர்; born 1948) is an Indian playback singer (sings film songs that actors lip-sync on screen), story writer, film producer and director who has worked in [Tamil cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-cinema) and Tamil music for several decades. She is the mother of actor and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay and the wife of director and producer [S. A. Chandrasekhar](https://www.edgepedia.org/s-a-chandrasekhar), but she built an independent career across music, writing, filmmaking, and television.[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/5247/shoba-chandrasekhar) • [2](https://vettrithalapathy.com/family-shoba-chandrasekhar.html)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1948, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/5247/shoba-chandrasekhar) |
| Professions | Playback singer, story writer, producer, director[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/5247/shoba-chandrasekhar) |
| First film song | "Maharaja Oru Maharani" from *Iru Malargal* (1967), recorded before her marriage[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/shoba-chandrasekhar-the-mother-who-sang-vijays-future-before-it-happened-2907394-2026-05-06) |
| Training | Tamil Nadu Government Music College; Carnatic music and veena[4](https://vettrithalapathy.com/ta/family-shoba-chandrasekhar.html) |
| Writing | Story writer on films from *Nenjile Thunivirunthal* (1981) onward; the Tamil-language profile credits her with stories for more than 50 films[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/5247/shoba-chandrasekhar) • [4](https://vettrithalapathy.com/ta/family-shoba-chandrasekhar.html) |
| Directing | *Nanbargal* (1991) and *Innisai Mazhai* (1992)[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/5247/shoba-chandrasekhar) |
| Family | Mother of Joseph Vijay; daughter Vidhya died at age two in 1984[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/shoba-chandrasekhar-on-cm-vijay-childhood-tragedy-sister-vidhya-death-sa-chandrasekhar-struggles-10751592/) |
| Recent recording | *Vinayagar Agaval - EP*, released 16 May 2025 on Saregama[6](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/shoba-chandrasekhar/619855367) |
## Early life and music training
Shoba Chandrasekhar was born in 1948 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/5247/shoba-chandrasekhar) She showed an interest in music from a young age and sang with light music troupes before entering films. Her formal training came at the Tamil Nadu Government Music College, where she studied [Carnatic music](https://www.edgepedia.org/carnatic-music) and the veena, giving her a background that ranged from classical performance to film song singing.[4](https://vettrithalapathy.com/ta/family-shoba-chandrasekhar.html)
Her first recorded film song was "Maharaja Oru Maharani" from *Iru Malargal* (1967), which she recorded before her marriage to S. A. Chandrasekhar.[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/shoba-chandrasekhar-the-mother-who-sang-vijays-future-before-it-happened-2907394-2026-05-06) In a later interview she recalled that her own income from singing kept the household running in the family's lower-middle-class years, before her husband gave up a government job to pursue filmmaking full time.[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/shoba-chandrasekhar-on-cm-vijay-childhood-tragedy-sister-vidhya-death-sa-chandrasekhar-struggles-10751592/)
## Playback singing
Her film-song catalog on streaming platforms runs from the mid-1980s to the present: "Raathiri Dhinam" from *Veetuku Oru Kannagi* (1984), "Potti Kadaiyila" from *Neethiyin Marupakkam* (1985), "Pala Pala" from *Kodai Mazhai* (1986), "Adi Maadi" from *Natpu* (1986), "Love Love Mama" from *Rasigan* (1993), "Nambinen Maharajane" from *Kattalai* (1993), "Oormila Oormila" from *Once More* (1996), "Uchimandai" from *[Vettaikaaran](https://www.edgepedia.org/vettaikaaran-2009-film)* (2009), and "Azhage Nee" and "Dheivam Vandhadhu" from the *Pudhu Yugam* soundtrack EP (2024).[6](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/shoba-chandrasekhar/619855367) [TV Guide](https://www.edgepedia.org/tv-guide) lists her playback-singer credits as *Sura*, *Vettaikaaran*, and *Girivalam*.[7](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/shoba-chandrasekhar/credits/3000633918/)
**Devotional and classical work.** Beyond film songs she has been active in Carnatic and devotional music.[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/shoba-chandrasekhar-the-mother-who-sang-vijays-future-before-it-happened-2907394-2026-05-06) Her 2008 devotional album *Gururaja Charanam* collected songs in praise of Raghavendra, and in 2025 Saregama released her rendition of the hymn "Vinayagar Agaval" as a single-track EP, with music by Valmiki and traditional lyrics.[8](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/shoba-chandrasekar/254650381) • [9](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yzp8sA7hIE) In 2012 the *New Indian Express* described her as a respected classical singer who had just recorded a kuthu number, "orathula orathula ukandhu pesanum", for the film *Idhayam Thiraiyarangam*, rendered with the folk singer Jeyamoorthi.[10](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/entertainment-news/2012/May/22/vijays-familys-connection-with-it-370622.html)
## Writing, producing, and directing
Shoba Chandrasekhar's screenwriting credits begin with *Nenjile Thunivirunthal* (1981) and *Pattanathu Rajakkal* (1982), followed by *Kudumbam* (1984), *Veetuku Oru Kannagi* (1984), *Neethiyin Marupakkam* (1985), *Enakku Nane Needipathi* (1986), *Nilave Malare* (1986), *Rajanadai* (1989), and *Naalaiya Theerpu* (1992).[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/5247/shoba-chandrasekhar) IMDb lists her best-known writing credits as *Sattam Oru Iruttarai* (1981), *Sendhoorapandi* (1993), and *Deva* (1995).[11](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2158519/) The Tamil-language biographical profile credits her with stories for more than 50 films, many of which were made by her husband.[4](https://vettrithalapathy.com/ta/family-shoba-chandrasekhar.html)
As a producer her credits include *Pudhu Yugam* (1985), *Vasantha Raagam* (1986), *Ithu Engal Neethi* (1988), *Sattam Oru Vilayaattu* (1987), *Neethikku Thandanai* (1987), *Naalaiya Theerpu* (1992), *Nilaave Vaa* (1998), and *Aadhi* (2006).[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/5247/shoba-chandrasekhar) She directed *Nanbargal* (1991), on which she also received a writing credit, and *Innisai Mazhai* (1992).[1](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/5247/shoba-chandrasekhar) In 2003 she hosted *Samarpanam*, a melody and classical music program broadcast on Vijay TV.[4](https://vettrithalapathy.com/ta/family-shoba-chandrasekhar.html)
## Family
Shoba Chandrasekhar married the director and producer S. A. Chandrasekhar, who introduced their son Joseph Vijay to Tamil cinema as an actor.[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/shoba-chandrasekhar-on-cm-vijay-childhood-tragedy-sister-vidhya-death-sa-chandrasekhar-struggles-10751592/) • [12](https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/actor-vijay-singing-song-with-his-mother-shoba-chandrasekhar-directed-sa-chandrasekhar-217002) Their daughter Vidhya died at the age of two in 1984, while S. A. Chandrasekhar was away filming; Shoba has said that the loss changed Vijay, until then a lively child, into someone quieter and more reserved.[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/shoba-chandrasekhar-on-cm-vijay-childhood-tragedy-sister-vidhya-death-sa-chandrasekhar-struggles-10751592/) She and her husband had hoped Vijay would become a doctor, while he wanted to be a pilot until about age 18, when acting entered the picture.[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/shoba-chandrasekhar-on-cm-vijay-childhood-tragedy-sister-vidhya-death-sa-chandrasekhar-struggles-10751592/)
The family's work overlaps on screen and in the recording studio. Vijay has sung three songs together with his mother in his films.[13](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema-singer-shpba-chandrasekar-singina-a-song-in-vijay-movie-10469038) Shoba appeared with Vijay in a [television advertisement](https://www.edgepedia.org/television-advertisement), her first time before a camera, and has said publicly that she would like to play his mother in a feature film.[14](https://indiaglitz.com/mothers-day-special-interview-with-illayathalapathy-vijay-mother-shobha-chandrasekhar-tamil-news-158472) In May 2024 she accompanied her husband to the Kamatchi Amman temple in [Kanchipuram](https://www.edgepedia.org/kanchipuram), where he voiced support for Vijay's entry into politics.[15](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/sa-chandrasekhar-seeks-blessings-at-kanchipuram-kamatchi-amman-temple-reacts-on-vijays-political-entry/articleshow/110533581.cms)
## Name variants
Database and streaming services spell her name inconsistently, including Shoba Chandrasekhar, Shoba Chandrasekar, Shobha Chandrasekhar, and Shoba Chandrasekaran; [MusicBrainz](https://www.edgepedia.org/musicbrainz) sorts her under "Chandrasekhar, Shoba" and tags her genre as filmi.[16](https://musicbrainz.org/artist/71c122ea-7669-4ce2-bb97-80d1bc63e3a9) • [8](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/shoba-chandrasekar/254650381) • [17](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/shobha-chandrasekhar/20565511) • [18](https://www.nts.live/artists/146124-shoba-chandrasekaran)
## References
1. [Shoba Chandrasekhar, TamilMDb](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/5247/shoba-chandrasekhar)
2. [Shoba Chandrasekhar Biography, VettriThalapathy](https://vettrithalapathy.com/family-shoba-chandrasekhar.html)
3. [Shoba Chandrasekhar: Vijay's mother sang his future before it happened, India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/shoba-chandrasekhar-the-mother-who-sang-vijays-future-before-it-happened-2907394-2026-05-06)
4. [ஷோபா சந்திரசேகர் — பாடகி, எழுத்தாளர், தயாரிப்பாளர், VettriThalapathy (Tamil)](https://vettrithalapathy.com/ta/family-shoba-chandrasekhar.html)
5. [Vijay was forever changed by sister's death, reveals mother, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/shoba-chandrasekhar-on-cm-vijay-childhood-tragedy-sister-vidhya-death-sa-chandrasekhar-struggles-10751592/)
6. [Shoba Chandrasekhar, Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/shoba-chandrasekhar/619855367)
7. [Shoba Chandrasekhar List of Movies and TV Shows, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/shoba-chandrasekhar/credits/3000633918/)
8. [Shoba Chandrasekar, Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/shoba-chandrasekar/254650381)
9. [Vinayagar Agaval, Saregama Carnatic Classical, YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yzp8sA7hIE)
10. [Vijay's family's connection with IT, The New Indian Express](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/entertainment/entertainment-news/2012/May/22/vijays-familys-connection-with-it-370622.html)
11. [Shoba Chandrasekhar, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2158519/)
12. [அம்மா பாட.. அப்பா இயக்க.., ABP Live Tamil](https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/actor-vijay-singing-song-with-his-mother-shoba-chandrasekhar-directed-sa-chandrasekhar-217002)
13. [10 வயதில் எம்.எஸ்.வி இசையில் அறிமுகம், Indian Express Tamil](https://tamil.indianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema-singer-shpba-chandrasekar-singina-a-song-in-vijay-movie-10469038)
14. ["I would love to act as Vijay's mother" – Shoba Chandrashekar, IndiaGlitz](https://indiaglitz.com/mothers-day-special-interview-with-illayathalapathy-vijay-mother-shobha-chandrasekhar-tamil-news-158472)
15. [SA Chandrasekhar seeks blessings at Kanchipuram Kamatchi Amman temple, Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/sa-chandrasekhar-seeks-blessings-at-kanchipuram-kamatchi-amman-temple-reacts-on-vijays-political-entry/articleshow/110533581.cms)
16. [Shoba Chandrasekhar, MusicBrainz](https://musicbrainz.org/artist/71c122ea-7669-4ce2-bb97-80d1bc63e3a9)
17. [Shobha Chandrasekhar, Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/shobha-chandrasekhar/20565511)
18. [Shoba Chandrasekaran, NTS](https://www.nts.live/artists/146124-shoba-chandrasekaran)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Individual musical biographies › World, regional traditional, and non-Western popular musicians › South Asian classical, folk, and playback musicians*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license