Vijay’s screen debut occurred as a child artist in Vetri (1984) under his father, director S. A. Chandrasekhar. However, his lead debut came with Naalaiya Theerpu (1992) at the age of 18. Films of this period— Senthoorapandi (1993), Rasigan (1994), Deva (1995), Coimbatore Mappillai (1996)—established him as a dancer with boy-next-door charm. Most were action-family dramas, often scripted to highlight his youthful energy. While critically modest, these movies built his initial fanbase among rural and suburban youth. Notable titles include Vishnu (1995) and Maanbumigu Maanavan (1996). This phase was about survival and finding a foothold in a industry dominated by Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.
After Sura ’s mixed reception, Vijay recalibrated. Kaavalan (2011), a remake of Bodyguard , showed restraint and warmth, earning critical praise. Velayudham (2011) and Nanban (2012)—the official Tamil remake of 3 Idiots —displayed his comedic and emotional range. Thuppakki (2012), directed by AR Murugadoss, was a watershed moment: a slick, intelligent action thriller about an army officer dismantling a sleeper cell. It redefined Vijay’s on-screen persona as a thinking mass hero. Follow-ups Jilla (2014), Kaththi (2014), Puli (2015), and Theri (2016) saw him balancing family sentiment with sharp political critiques, especially in Kaththi (corporate exploitation of farmers) and Theri (police corruption). Bairavaa (2017) closed this phase, which established him as a pan-Indian star via strong streaming and dubbed releases. vijay tamil movies list
Priyamaanavale (2000), Friends (2001), Badri (2001), Shahjahan (2001), Thamizhan (2002), Youth (2002), Vaseegara (2003), Ghilli (2004), Madhurey (2004), Thirupaachi (2005), Sivakasi (2005), Aadhi (2006), Pokkiri (2007), Kuruvi (2008), Villu (2009), Vettaikaaran (2009) Vijay’s screen debut occurred as a child artist
Vijay’s recent filmography is defined by blockbuster budgets, social commentary, and deliberate positioning as a future political leader. Mersal (2017)—with its critique of GST and medical malpractice—became a phenomenon. Sarkar (2018) directly attacked electoral malpractice, leading to legal controversies. Master (2021), his post-pandemic comeback, blended juvenile home reform with stylish action. Beast (2022) was a mall-set action comedy, while Varisu (2023) returned to family melodrama. However, Leo (2023) and The GOAT (Greatest of All Time, 2024) represent his current phase: high-concept, pan-Indian collaborations with top directors (Lokesh Kanagaraj, Venkat Prabhu) that explicitly insert political messaging about corruption, education, and caste oppression. His upcoming Thalapathy 69 (rumored to be his last film before entering politics) signals the culmination of this journey—where cinema becomes a direct vehicle for political ascension. However, his lead debut came with Naalaiya Theerpu
Introduction