Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, born on June 22, 1974, is an acclaimed Indian actor, playback singer, and philanthropist, primarily known for his work in Tamil cinema. He is popularly referred to as "Thalapathy," meaning commander, and has a massive fan following across the globe. Vijay made his acting debut as a child artist in 1984 and transitioned to lead roles in the early 1990s. His breakthrough came with the film Poove Unakkaga (1996), which established him as a leading actor in Tamil cinema. Over the years, he has starred in numerous commercially successful films, including Ghilli, Mersal, and Master. In addition to his acting career, Vijay is recognized for his philanthropic efforts, particularly through his fan club, Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, which engages in various social initiatives. He has also ventured into politics, recently launching his political party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam, aiming to contest in the 2026 Tamil Nadu State Assembly elections. Vijay is married to Sangeetha Sornalingam since August 25, 1999, and they have two children together.