From a 10-year-old child actor in 1984 to Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister in 2026 — 34 years as a lead actor, 69 films and a body of work that defined a generation of Tamil cinema.
All-Time Greats
Dir: Dharani · Music: Vidyasagar
The film that made Vijay a superstar. Mass entertainer with the iconic "Appadi Podu" song. Broke all Tamil box office records of its time.
Dir: Prabhu Deva · Music: Vidyasagar
Cemented Vijay as Tamil Nadu's #1 mass entertainer. Redefined the mass hero genre. Record-breaking run at the box office.
Dir: A.R. Murugadoss · Music: Harris Jayaraj
Vijay as an army intelligence officer fighting terrorism. Intelligent mass entertainer that combined substance with style.
Dir: A.R. Murugadoss · Music: Anirudh
Vijay's most political film before politics. Addressed corporate exploitation of farmers. A genuine social statement wrapped in mass entertainment.
Dir: Atlee · Music: A.R. Rahman
Landmark film tackling healthcare corruption. Drew national controversy for dialogues on GST. Vijay's refusal to cut scenes was a defining moment. A.R. Rahman's music was extraordinary.
Dir: Atlee · Music: A.R. Rahman
Vijay coaches a women's football team. Powerful message on women's empowerment. Broke Vijay's own records. A.R. Rahman's "Singappenney" became iconic.
Dir: Lokesh Kanagaraj · Music: Anirudh
Released during COVID pandemic. One of the first major theatrical releases post-lockdown. Vijay vs Vijay Sethupathi — cinema's most anticipated face-off. Collected ₹250 crore worldwide.
Dir: Lokesh Kanagaraj · Music: Anirudh
Part of Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU). Vijay as a café owner with a hidden past. Collected over ₹600 crore worldwide — Vijay's biggest ever box office collection.
1984 – 2026
Dir: T. Rajendran · Music: Ilaiyaraaja
Vijay's very first film appearance as a child actor at age 10. A small but significant beginning for Tamil cinema's future legend.
Dir: M. Rajesh · Music: Ilaiyaraaja
Second child role for young Vijay, a year before his lead debut. These early appearances built the foundation for one of Tamil cinema's greatest careers.
Dir: R. Sundarrajan · Music: Ilaiyaraaja
One of Vijay's earliest films as a child transitioning to lead roles. Family drama.
Dir: Vikraman · Music: Deva
Early hit. Vijay as a strong-willed youth. Vikraman's direction gave him emotional range.
Dir: R. Sundarrajan · Music: Deva
Romantic entertainer consolidating Vijay's popularity as a youth icon.
Dir: Suresh Krishna · Music: Deva
Action drama. Early big-budget attempt. Average box office.
Dir: Shankar Rathinam · Music: Deva
Romantic entertainer opposite Roja. Good songs and youthful energy.
Dir: S.A. Chandrasekhar · Music: Deva
Directed by his father S.A. Chandrasekhar. Strong family drama.
Dir: Sundar C · Music: Deva
Romantic action film. Memorable songs made it a commercial success.
Dir: Janaki Sounderajan · Music: Deva
Rural romantic entertainer. Coimbatore backdrop and catchy music worked well.
Dir: Vikraman · Music: Deva
One of the biggest hits of 1996. Emotional family romance. Vikraman-Vijay magic.
Dir: Kasthuri Raja · Music: S.A. Rajkumar
Rural drama set in a village. Moderate reception.
Dir: Manivannan · Music: Ilaiyaraaja
College drama with Vijay as a student hero. Average reception.
Dir: Vincent Selva · Music: Deva
Action drama with social theme. Average box office performance.
Dir: Kasthuri Raja · Music: Deva
Romantic tearjerker. Good music but moderate box office result.
Dir: Geetha Krishna · Music: Deva
Campus romantic hit. Catchy love story with memorable music.
Dir: Saran · Music: Deva
Romantic action entertainer. Successful commercial run.
Dir: Vasanth · Music: A.R. Rahman
Thriller with AR Rahman's score. National Award-winning performances.
Dir: Vikraman · Music: Deva
Blockbuster family romance. Vijay and Shalini — their most beloved pairing.
Dir: Kasthuri Raja · Music: Deva
Romantic drama. Good music but failed to create expected commercial impact.
Dir: Vikraman · Music: Deva
Emotional family drama. Vikraman signature sentiment. Good run.
Dir: P.G. Muthaiah · Music: S.A. Rajkumar
Romantic drama. Average reception despite pleasant music.
Dir: Ezhil · Music: Deva
Romantic entertainer with hit songs. Good box office run.
Dir: Vikraman · Music: Deva
Classic Vikraman romantic sentiment. Vijay's emotional depth stood out.
Dir: Fazil · Music: S.A. Rajkumar
Romantic thriller. Tamil remake of a Malayalam film. Moderate success.
Dir: K.S. Ravikumar · Music: Deva
Family entertainer with comedy and sentiment. Prabhu Deva's dancing was a highlight.
Dir: Prashanth Muthuraman · Music: Deva
Romantic love story. Good music and lead pair chemistry.
Dir: S.J. Suryah · Music: Vidyasagar
Massive blockbuster. Campus romance with unforgettable music. Vijay reaches superstar status.
Dir: Fazil · Music: Deva
Romantic film. Vijay-Preity Zinta's charming chemistry. Good songs.
Dir: S.J. Suryah · Music: Vidyasagar
Friendship-love blockbuster. Sunny entertainer with chartbuster songs.
Dir: Bala · Music: Vidyasagar
Bala's mass commercial outing with Vijay. Strong performances. Major hit.
Dir: Vikraman · Music: Deva
Romantic entertainer. Vikraman-Vijay's fourth collaboration.
Dir: Majith · Music: Deva
Rural action entertainer. Vijay plays a village hero. Good commercial run.
Dir: Suresh Krishna · Music: Bharadwaj
Youth-against-corruption action film. Below-par box office result.
Dir: Boopathy Pandian · Music: Vidyasagar
Huge mass action blockbuster. Vijay at his commercial peak.
Dir: Vasanth · Music: Bharadwaj
Romantic thriller. 'Unnai Kaanadhu' became a timeless classic. Superb Bharadwaj music.
Dir: S.J. Suryah · Music: Srikanth Deva
Mass entertainer with social theme. Good commercial run.
Dir: Ramana · Music: Vidyasagar
Rural mass entertainer. Vijay-Jyothika chemistry was a highlight. Major hit.
Dir: Vikraman · Music: Deva
Romantic action film. Vikraman-Vijay fifth collaboration.
Dir: Dharani · Music: Vidyasagar
Legendary all-time blockbuster. Tamil remake of Telugu Okkadu. Iconic whistle moments.
Dir: Boopathy Pandian · Music: Srikanth Deva
Action film with dual role. Below expectations at box office.
Dir: Boopathy Pandian · Music: Vidyasagar
Rural mass hit. Naan Avan Illai became one of Vijay's most recognisable songs.
Dir: John Mahendran · Music: Deva
Romantic comedy. Light entertainer with hit songs.
Dir: N. Rajasekar · Music: D. Imman
Vijay in a brief guest appearance alongside Vikram in this action film.
Dir: Boopathy Pandian · Music: Vidyasagar
Mass action blockbuster. Vijay as a bold hero fighting for the poor. Huge hit.
Dir: Ramana · Music: Vidyasagar
Full mass blockbuster. Vijay at his commercial peak in the mid-2000s.
Dir: Prabhu Deva · Music: Vidyasagar
All-time mass blockbuster. Tamil remake of Telugu Pokiri. Vijay's biggest mass persona.
Dir: S.J. Suryah · Music: A.R. Rahman
Romantic drama with AR Rahman music. Didn't connect commercially.
Dir: Dharani · Music: Vidyasagar
Action entertainer. Vijay-Trisha again. Good mass run.
Dir: Prabhu Deva · Music: Vidyasagar
Mass action entertainer directed by Prabhu Deva. Solid box office run.
Dir: Babu Sivan · Music: Vijay Antony
Massive blockbuster. Vijay as a powerful cop. Vijay Antony's music was a mega hit.
Dir: S.P. Rajkumar · Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Biggest flop in Vijay's career. Despite Yuvan's music, the film failed to deliver.
Dir: Boopathy Pandian · Music: Vijay Antony
Bodyguard action entertainer. Fresh Vijay Antony music. Good commercial run.
Dir: Jayam Raja · Music: G.V. Prakash Kumar
Mass blockbuster. Vijay as a superhero with a powerful social message.
Dir: Shankar · Music: Harris Jayaraj
Tamil remake of 3 Idiots directed by Shankar. Massive blockbuster.
Dir: A.R. Murugadoss · Music: G.V. Prakash Kumar
Army action blockbuster. Murugadoss-Vijay first super hit. Vidyut Jammwal as villain.
Dir: Suraj · Music: G.V. Prakash Kumar
Mass action with Vijay playing a don. Good commercial run.
Dir: R.T. Neason · Music: D. Imman
Mass entertainer. Vijay-Mohanlal face-off drew huge crowds.
Dir: A.R. Murugadoss · Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Dual role blockbuster. Strong farmer welfare message. Anirudh Ravichander's Vijay debut.
Dir: Chimbu Deven · Music: D.S.P. Thaman
Fantasy action big budget. Failed to deliver. One of Vijay's rare disappointments.
Dir: Atlee · Music: G.V. Prakash Kumar
Family mass blockbuster. Vijay as a cop-father. Atlee-Vijay blockbuster debut. Record opening.
Dir: Bharathan · Music: S.S. Thaman
Mass action entertainer. Decent first week, average total run.
Dir: Atlee · Music: A.R. Rahman
Triple role blockbuster. AR Rahman music. Powerful message on healthcare and GST.
Dir: A.R. Murugadoss · Music: A.R. Rahman
Political mass blockbuster. Vijay as NRI returning to fight corruption. Record opening day.
Dir: Atlee · Music: A.R. Rahman
Women's football blockbuster. Dual role. Verithanam went viral worldwide.
Dir: Lokesh Kanagaraj · Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Pandemic release that shattered records. Epic Vijay vs Vijay Sethupathi face-off.
Dir: Nelson · Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Hostage action thriller. Strong opening week. Nelson Dilipkumar's quirky direction.
Dir: Vamshi Paidipally · Music: S. Thaman
Family drama — Vijay as heir to a business empire. Sankranti blockbuster.
Dir: Lokesh Kanagaraj · Music: Anirudh Ravichander
LCU action thriller. Intense Vijay performance. Lokesh Kanagaraj Universe.
Dir: Venkat Prabhu · Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Multi-timeline action thriller with Vijay in a dual role, released the year before his acting farewell in Jana Nayagan.
Dir: H. Vinoth · Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Vijay's 69th and final film as lead actor. Released July 23, 2026 after a seven-month CBFC battle — ₹233Cr+ worldwide in 5 days, the best Tamil occupancy of 2026.
The Man Behind the Movies
From Silver Screen to People's Hearts. The Man Who Entertained Millions and Inspired More.
Vijay has acted in 71 films total — 69 as a lead actor since his 1992 debut in Naalaiya Theerpu, plus 2 child-artist appearances before that, starting with Vetri in 1984.
Vijay's first film as a lead actor was Naalaiya Theerpu (1992), directed by his father S. A. Chandrasekhar, when Vijay was 18 years old.
Jana Nayagan, directed by H. Vinoth, is Vijay's 69th and final film as lead actor. It is confirmed for theatrical release on 24 July 2026, arriving after he has already assumed office as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Leo (2023), directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is Vijay's highest-grossing film with a worldwide gross of approximately ₹605–620 crore, making it one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time.
From Naalaiya Theerpu to GOAT — A Journey Written by Fans, Celebrated by Cinema.
End of Cinema. Beginning of History.
📖 Read the Full Biography