# Vijay filmography
Vijay (விஜய்), born Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar in 1974, is an Indian actor whose screen career centers on [Tamil cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-cinema). He began in child roles in films directed by his father, [S. A. Chandrasekhar](https://www.edgepedia.org/s-a-chandrasekhar), before making his lead debut in *Naalaiya Theerpu* in 1992. His breakthrough came with *Poove Unakkaga* in 1996, followed by *Kadhalukku Mariyadhai* in 1997.[1](https://sacnilk.com/news/List_Of_All_Vijay_Movies) • [2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/joseph-vijay)
## Early screen work
Vijay's child-acting career began with *Vetri* in 1984. His father directed the film and several of his subsequent childhood appearances. The transition to adult lead roles came in *Naalaiya Theerpu*, a 1992 production directed by Chandrasekhar.[2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/joseph-vijay)
The debut was commercially unsuccessful, according to the BBC's account of his career. Vijay continued working, and the romantic films of the later 1990s helped establish his audience. *Poove Unakkaga* became a turning point in 1996.[3](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2k5kxk3plo) • [1](https://sacnilk.com/news/List_Of_All_Vijay_Movies)
## Selected acting credits
| Year | Film | Role or career context |
|---|---|---|
|1984|*Vetri*|Child actor|
|1992|*Naalaiya Theerpu*|Vijay; lead debut|
|1996|*Coimbatore Mappillai*|Balu|
|1996|*Poove Unakkaga*|Raja|
|1996|*Vasantha Vaasal*|Vijay|
|1996|*Maanbumigu Maanavan*|Sivaraj|
|1996|*Selva*|Selvan|
|1997|*Kadhalukku Mariyadhai*|A breakthrough romantic film|
The 1996 titles and character names are recorded in Sacnilk's filmography; the earlier debut credits and *Kadhalukku Mariyadhai* are also described by the Times of India.[1](https://sacnilk.com/news/List_Of_All_Vijay_Movies) • [2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/joseph-vijay)
## Changes in screen persona
The BBC describes Vijay's career as a progression from romantic leads in the late 1990s to action-oriented roles in the 2000s. After 2012, his films increasingly presented him as a protector or vigilante. This screen image helped connect his film career with his later public role.[3](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2k5kxk3plo)
Critic Aditya Shrikrishna, interviewed by the BBC, identified dancing, comedy, and an understanding of populist cinema as Vijay's strengths. His account emphasizes box-office appeal and the scale of the actor's following. The BBC described a career of nearly 70 films over roughly 3 decades, a count broader than the earlier Times of India profile's 60 lead roles.[3](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2k5kxk3plo) • [2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/joseph-vijay)
## Announced departure from cinema
In 2024, Vijay founded [Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamilaga-vettri-kazhagam) and announced that he intended to leave films to concentrate on politics. He described *Jana Nayagan*, translated as *The People's Hero*, as his farewell film. The BBC's profile linked the film's political imagery to his move from cinema into electoral politics.[3](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2k5kxk3plo)
## References
1. [List Of All Vijay Movies, Sacnilk](https://sacnilk.com/news/List_Of_All_Vijay_Movies)
2. [Joseph Vijay, Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/joseph-vijay)
3. [Vijay: The Indian film star turning politician in Tamil Nadu, BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2k5kxk3plo)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Film actors and performers › Actor filmographies and performer list articles*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 15, 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