Chief Minister and former actor Vijay turns 52: a collection of stories about the TVK chief

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. File. | Photo credit: The Hindu

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, former actor and president of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, C. Joseph Vijay celebrates his 52nd birthday on Monday (June 22, 2026). Fondly called ‘Thalapati’ by his fans, Vijay was widely regarded as one of the most successful actors in Tamil cinema before he ventured into politics.

A star who starred in 68 films, he captivated millions of fans of Tamil cinema in a career spanning nearly four decades. After several roles as a child actor in films directed by his father SA Chandrasekhar, Vijay made his debut as a lead at the age of 18 in the 1992 film Naalaiya Theerpu. The actor starred in several notable films in the late 1990s such as Coimbatore Mappillai, Poove Unakkaga, Love Today, Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, Priyamudan and Thullatha Manamum Thullum.

Vijay went on to act in romantic dramas in the early 2000s such as Kannukkul Nilavu, Kushi, Priyamaanavale and Shahjahan before gradually transforming into an action hero, much like his fellow contemporaries. It was, after all, the age of the angry young man in Tamil cinema. When action films like Thirumalai, Ghilli, Thirupaachi, Sivakasi and Pokkiri became blockbusters, the sign was clear: a superstar was in the making.

Despite several setbacks and flops in the late 2000s, Vijay made a roaring comeback in early 2010 with Nanban and Thuppakki, becoming a superstar of Tamil cinema known for having fans across all age groups.

Currently, Vijay is at a pivotal stage in his career, having announced his retirement from films – his yet-to-be-released film with H Vinoth, Jana Nayagan, was his last – and foraying into politics with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party.

In the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, TVK won the majority of seats to form the government. Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 10 May 2026.

On his 52nd birthday today, here’s a collection of Vijay stories.

Published – 22 Jun 2025 14:31 IST