Vijay (Actor)

Some Lesser Known Facts About Vijay

• In his school days, he used to be a topper.

  

• For his debut film ‘Vetri’ as a child artist, he received Rs 500 as fees.

• Since childhood, he has a strong belief in God.

  

• As a child actor, he appeared in various Tamil films like ‘Kudumbam’ (1984), ‘Naan Sigappu Manithan’ (1985), ‘Vasantha Raagam’ (1986), ‘Sattam Oru Vilaiyattu’ (1987), and ‘Ithu Engal Neethi’ (1988).

  

• To become an actor he dropped out of his Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Communications at Loyola College, Chennai.

• While he was studying in college, he used to perform in various dance competitions. He used to perform on Michael Jackson’s songs and even learnt all of his famous dance moves.

  

• He has worked as a producer in a few Tamil films like ‘Nanbargal’ (1991) and ‘Innisai Mazhai’ (1992).

• In the 1990s, he appeared in various Tamil films like ‘Deva’ (1995), ‘Poove Unakkaga’ (1996), ‘Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen’ (1997), ‘Thulladha Manamum Thullum’ (1999), and ‘Minsara Kanna’ (1999).

• He has lent his voice to many Tamil films songs like “Thiruppathy Ponaa Mottai” from ‘Maanbumigu Maanavan’ (1996), “Kaalathuketha Oru Gana” from ‘Velai’ (1998), “Yaendi Yaendi” from ‘Pulli’ (2015), “Kutti Story” from ‘Master’ (2021), and “Naa Ready” from ‘Leo’ (2023).

  

• In 2008, he was appointed as the brand ambassador of IPL team Chennai Super Kings.

  

• On 23 June 2008, he launched a flag for his fan club.

  

• He has appeared in more than 65 Tamil films including ‘Vettaikaran’ (2009), ‘Nanban/Thuppakki’ (2012), ‘Theri’ (2016), ‘Mersal’ (2017), ‘Master’ (2021), and ‘Leo’ (2023).

• While Vijay was shooting for his second film, one of his female fans met him and praised him for his debut film. The girl was Sangeetha Sornalingam (Hindu British Sri Lankan Tamil), the daughter of a UK-based industrialist from Sri Lanka. Vijay liked her gesture and invited her to his home for a meal with his parents. Vijay kept on inviting her to his home several times. Vijay’s mother had sensed that Vijay was in love with Sangeetha. In one of their meetings, Vijay’s mother asked Sangeetha to become their daughter-in-law.

• On 26 July 2009, he started his social welfare organisation named Vijay Makkal Iyakkam. In 2011, the organisation supported the AIADMK alliance in assembly elections. With his organisation, he has carried on various social welfare activities.

  

• In 2011, he supported the anti-corruption movement started by the Indian social activist Anna Hazare in New Delhi.

  

• He made a cameo appearance in the Hindi film ‘Rowdy Rathore’ in 2012 in the song “Chinta Ta Ta.”
  

• He was featured on the Forbes’ India ‘Celebrity 100’ lists in 2012 and 2013.

• On 5 February 2020, his properties were raided by the Income Tax Department of India for his association with AGS Enterprises. He has worked with AGS Enterprises in the Tamil film ‘Bigil’ for which Vijay had charged around Rs 180 crore. An unaccounted cash worth Rs 65 crore was also seized from the property of the financer of ‘Bigil.’ However, Vijay came out clear in the raid. ^[19]India Today

• In October 2021, he contested in local body elections from his organisation Vijay Makkal Iyakkam in Tamil Nadu. He won 115 out of the 169 contested seats.

• He is a good friend of South Indian actors Vikram and Suriya. Suriya was his college senior.

  

• Instead of celebrating his birthday in hotels, he prefers social work and provides free books to economically weak students.

• He has appeared in TV commercials for various brands like Coca-Cola, Chennai Super Kings, Sunfeast, Jos Alukkas, and Tata Docomo.

• He was initially offered roles in the Tamil films ‘Mudhalvan’ (1999) and ‘Dhool’ (2003), but he could not accept the offer due to his busy schedule.

• In an interview, he shared that he was a huge fan of the renowned Indian actor Rajinikanth. Vijay said that after watching Rajinikanth’s films, he developed an interest in acting. In his audition for a lead role in his film ‘Naalaiya Theerpu’ (1992), he said a famous dialogue of Rajinikanth from the film ‘Annaamalai’ (1992). ^[20]The New Indian Express

  

• He loves participating in various sports.

  

• His mother once shared that in childhood, he was a very talkative and naughty child, but after his father’s death, he became quiet and shy.

• In 2019, his wax statue was installed at the Mayapuri Wonder Wax, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, where statues of a few other famous personalities like APJ Abdul Kalam, Amitabh Bachchan, Mother Teresa, and Michael Jackson are installed.

  

• In 2021, he filed a case against eleven people including his parents for using his name to gather public or conduct meetings. His father had said that he would register a political party in Vijay’s name. Vijay immediately released a statement stating that he would not give his consent to start a political party with his name. ^[21]The Indian Express

• He is considered one of the highest-paid actors in the Indian film industry. In 2023, he charged around Rs 200 crore for a film. ^[22]News 18

• On 11 July 2023, it was said that Vijay would go on a padayatra across Tamil Nadu before the release of his film ‘Leo’ after which he would join politics. ^[23]India Today

• In a village in Tamil Nadu, he was provided financial aid to build the Perumal Temple. People in the village are so inspired by him that some of them have even kept their children’s name Vijay.

• In 2023, he received criticism from the audiences, for using the T-word (a cuss word) in his film ‘Leo’ in a scene with the Indian actress Trisha Krishnan. However, he did not apologise for it. ^[24]India Today

• He was listed in the top celebrities in Asia list at no. 8 by Easter Eye magazine in 2023. He was the only Tamil actor to feature in the list.

• In 2024, after the centre government implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, Vijay opposed the implementation and requested the Tamil Nadu government to make sure that the act was not implemented in the state.

  

• He has a huge fan following in India and various other countries like China, Japan, UK, and France. Some of his films have been released in more than eighty countries and five continents.

• He is an avid animal lover and owns a pet dog.

  

• He is often spotted consuming alcohol at parties and events.

• Vijay has been featured on the cover of various magazines like Mathrubhumi, Filmfare, and Success.

  

• In October 2024, he conducted his first political rally in Tamil Nadu, in which he revealed that his party would be taking part in its first election in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. In the rally, he criticised the BJP, DMK, and the Governor of the state over their policies.

  

Minsara Kanna

Leo