As Vijay turns 49, let’s take a quick look at his cinematic journey to stardom

His previous two films Beast and Varisu earned more than ₹200 crore at the box office. The overseas rights of his films are sold at record prices.

On the occasion, let’s quickly rewind his previous works and check how he got the “superstar” status.

#LeoFirstLook is here! Happy Birthday @actorvijay anna!
Elated to join hands with you again na! Have a blast! 🤜🤛❤️#HBDThalapathyVIJAY #Leo 🔥🧊 pic.twitter.com/wvsWAHbGb7

— Lokesh Kanagaraj (@Dir_Lokesh) June 21, 2023

Meanwhile, the first song of his upcoming movie Leo — Naa Ready — crossed over 10 lakh views within 15 minutes of its release.

It was released on YouTube by Sony Music at 6.30 pm on Thursday.

Child artist

Vijay as child artist in 1984 movie ‘Vetri’. (Supplied)

Vijay’s father SA Chandrasekhar is a director and has done 70 films.

Vijay was fond of becoming an actor since childhood. Before playing a lead role, he acted in more than five films as a child artist.

He debuted in Vetri (1984 ) as a child actor. He followed it up with Kudumbam (1984), Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985, which featured Rajinikanth as the lead), Vasantha Raagam (1986), Sattam Oru Vilayattu (1987), and Ithu Engal Neethi (1988).

Also Read: Don’t accept money for votes, actor Vijay tells students at an event

Earlier films

Vijay in his debut movie ‘Naalaya Theerpu’. (Supplied)

Vijay debuted as the lead actor at the age of 18 with Naalaiya Theerpu in 1992, directed by his father SA Chandrashekhar. But the film tanked at the box office.

In 1993, the actor did Sendhoorapandi alongside Vijayakanth which did well.

In 1994, Rasigan ran for more than 175 days in theatres. Directed again by his father, Vijay became popular as “Ilaya Thalapathy” (young commander).

In 1995, Chandrashekhar directed Deva with his son in the lead. It was a box office hit and completed the 100-day run in cinema halls.

The same year, Vijay delivered several commercial hits like Vishnu (1995), Chandralekha (1995), Coimbatore Mappillai (1996) and Rajavin Parvaiyile (1995), though they weren’t critically acclaimed.

Also Read: Here’s why box office collections of ‘Adipurush’ were affected

Breakthrough movie

Vijay and Sangeetha in ‘Poove Unakaga’. (Supplied)

The breakthrough movie in Vijay’s career came through Poove Unakkaga (1996) directed by Vikraman. Sangitha was the female lead.

The romantic comedy was a major blockbuster for the actor, as it ran for 250 days in theatres. It was also remade as Shubhakankshalu (1997) in Telugu, Ee Hrudaya Ninagaagi (1997)  in Kannada and Badhaai Ho Badhaai (2002) in Hindi.

Director R Sundarrajan Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen (1997), featuring Vijay and Dimple in key roles, turned out to be a hit. Vijay’s Love Today, which was released the same year, also received a positive response.

‘Rajavin Paarvayile’ poster. (Supplied)

Kaathalukku Maryaadai (1997), a romantic drama with good songs, became a blockbuster hit. The movie is an official remake of the Malayalam movie Aniyathipraavu (1997) directed by Fazil.

In Tamil, Shalini paired opposite Vijay and Fazil directed the movie.

Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999) was another major hit in Vijay’s career. The romantic drama directed by Ezhil ran for more than 200 days in cinema halls. The soundtrack composed by Vikraman became a major hit.

Nilaave Vaa (1998), Endrendrum Kadhal (1998), Nenjinile (1999), and Minsara Kanna (1999) are some of low-profile films of Vijay.

Thalapathy @actorvijay becomes the 1st Tamil actor to be featured on the Bill Board 🔥

At the prestigious Times Square in New York 😎

Excellent work from @TheVJClan @CanadaVMI 💪#Leo #ThalapathyVijay pic.twitter.com/SICQWdCKNn

— Vijay Fans Trends (@VijayFansTrends) June 20, 2023

Also Read: Thandatti review: Director Ram Sangaiah’s film is rooted in reality

Shifting to stardom

‘Pokkiri’ Poster. (Supplied)

In 2000, the actor delivered some notable projects like Kannukkul Nilavu, Kushi and Priyamaanavale. His next successful films were Friends, Badri and Shahjahan (all released in 2001).

In 2002, the actor was seen in Thamizhan, Youth, and Bagavathi. They were all commercially successful.

In 2003, he acted in the comedy film Vaseegara and the supernatural film Pudhiya Geethai.

Ghilli (2004) was totally a game changer for Vijay as it grossed ₹50 crore at the box office, thereby becoming the first Tamil film to collect such a huge amount.

Directed by Dharani, Ghilli prompted Vijay to choose action films with the mannerisms of a superstar or a macho hero.

Sachein (2005), Sivakasi (2005) and Pokkiri (2007) were some of the blockbuster films of Vijay as a masculine hero.

‘Mersal’ poster. (ActorVijay/Twitter)

However, Azhagiya Tamizh Magan (2007), Kuruvi (2008), Villu (2009), and Sura (2010) proved to be major flops in his career.

Nevertheless, Vettaikaaran (2009) saved the actor’s image.

Kaavalan (2011) and Velayudham (2011) kept the box office registers ringing; the former earned over ₹100 crore.

And then, the actor did Nanban (2012), an official remake of the Hindi film Three Idiots (2009), which also became a success.

After 2012, Vijay’s Puli (2015), a fantasy movie, was the only project that didn’t do well at the box office. He met the expectations of his fans but failed to impress the critics. His Beast and Varisu didn’t work for the critics but did well at the box office.

Also Read: Asvins movie review: Vimala Raman shines in this horror thriller

“Ilaya Thalapathy” to “Thalapathy”

In 2017, “Ilaya Thalapathy” Vijay became “Thalapathy” after the release of director Atlee’s Mersal, a blockbuster hit.

Vijay is now one of the highest-paid actors in the Indian film industry. His upcoming project Leo is directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. The director teamed up with Vijay for the second time after Master. Leo is scheduled for release on 19 October 2023.

Later, Vijay will work with director Venkat Prabhu and AGS Entertainment’s next, which has been tentatively titled Thalapathy 68.