Arun Vijay | |
---|---|
Born | Arun Kumar 19 November 1977 Madras, Tamil Nadu, India |
Alma mater | Loyola College, Chennai |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1995–present |
Spouse | Aarathi (m. 2006) |
Children | 2 |
Parents |
|
Relatives | Kavitha Vijayakumar (sister) Anitha Vijayakumar (sister) Preetha Vijayakumar (half-sister) Sridevi Vijaykumar (half-sister) Vanitha Vijayakumar (half-sister) |
Arun Vijay (born 19 November 1977), formerly known as Arun Kumar, is an Indian actor who works primarily in Tamil cinema. He also starred in a few films in Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. [1]
Born as Arun Kumar and being the only son of veteran actor Vijayakumar, he debuted in Sundar C's Murai Mappillai (1995). [2] He received early success in Thulli Thirintha Kaalam (1998) and Pandavar Bhoomi (2001). [3]
After a string of failures, he changed his name to Arun Vijay [4] and achieved breakthrough success and recognition for playing lead roles in Malai Malai (2009), Maanja Velu (2010), Thadaiyara Thaakka (2012), Kuttram 23 (2017), Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018), Thadam (2019), Mafia: Chapter 1 (2020) and Yaanai (2022). [5] He is noted for his villainous roles in Yennai Arindhaal (2015), Bruce Lee: The Fighter (2015) and Chakravyuha (2016).
Arun Vijay was born as the only son to actor Vijayakumar and his first wife Muthukannu. He studied at Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Egmore. After completing his schooling, he joined Loyola college for his higher studies.
Vijay had a desire to act since childhood. He developed a strong interest by watching his father during film shoots. Vijay started getting film offers when he was in tenth grade but his father wanted him to complete his schooling before acting in films. [6]
Vijay signed on for an A. R. Rahman musical Love Story to be his acting debut, but the delay of that project meant that he accepted Anbalaya Films' offer of Sundar C's Murai Mappillai (1995). [2] He was 18 years old when he signed to act in Murai Mapillai. This made him one of the youngest actors to debut as a hero in the Tamil film industry.
In 1996, Vijay's second film, Priyam , was released. Vijay was seen for two films Kathirunda Kadhal (1997) and Ganga Gowri (1997).
In 1998, Vijay played the lead role in director Balasekaran's film Thulli Thirintha Kaalam . It was produced by Kavithalayaa Productions, a company owned by K.Balachander.
In 2000, Vijay featured in two films, Kannaal Pesavaa and Anbudan . [7] His career hit a nadir when Buddhan, a project which he had physically transformed for, was stalled and dropped in 2000. [8]
In 2001, he played a civil engineer in Pandavar Bhoomi , directed by Cheran. This was the first movie in which Vijay and his father Vijayakumar acted together. This movie won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film (Second Prize) in 2001. [9]
Vijay's next film was Mutham (2002). It was initially titled Muthamidalamma, but was changed after the censor screening. It was directed by S.A. Chandrasekhar and was the first film to be shot using digital cinematography in Tamil cinema. [10] Vijay had a special appearance in Iyarkai (2003), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. [11]
He acted in director Ramesh Selvan's Jananam (2004). The film's actress Priyanka Trivedi could not fulfill her scheduled commitments in the film, as she got married in 2003. [12] Critics appreciated Arun Vijay's acting in the movie. [13] In 2006, he has given a matured performance in Azhagai Irukkirai Bayamai Irukkirathu . [14] His next projects was Thavam (2007) and Vedha (2008).
The first venture, Malai Malai (2009), directed by A. Venkatesh, became a commercial success. The next, Maanja Velu (2010), by the same team, was also a success. Arun Vijay appeared in Magizh Thirumeni's action-thriller Thadaiyara Thaakka (2012), marking a move away from his previous two Masala films. [15]
He starred in Yennai Arindhaal (2015) with actor Ajith Kumar. This was his first film with director Gautham Vasudev Menon. Vijay played the role of Victor, an antagonist. [16]
On September 1, 2015, Vijay launched his own production company called In Cinemas Entertainment (ICE). [17] He said that he launched the company to identify and provide an opportunity to ambitious and talented youngsters. [18]
The same year, he debuted in Telugu in the film Bruce Lee - The Fighter (2015) as the lead antagonist. He also made his Kannada debut as the lead antagonist in the movie Chakravyuha in 2016. [19] [20] His next, Kuttram 23 (2017), returning to lead roles, was a success at the box office. [21] His next movie was Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018), which was directed by Mani Ratnam with an ensemble cast.
In 2019, Vijay acted in Thadam , an action crime thriller. He played his first double role in this film. This was also the second film in which he and Magizh Thirumeni worked together, after Thadaiyara Thaakka. [22] The film was loosely based on various real-life crimes where the suspects are identical twins. Thadam's biggest strength was Vijay's convincing performance as Kavin and Ezhil. [23] In the action thriller film Saaho , Prabhas was the hero while Vijay played a supporting role. [24] In 2020, he appeared in action crime thriller Mafia: Chapter 1 that was directed by Karthick Naren. In the film, Arun Vijay played a narcotics police officer on a mission to hunt down a drug mafia kingpin. [25]
In 2022, he appeared in the Amazon Prime Video film Oh My Dog. The cast included Vijay, his father Vijayakumar, and his son Arnav Vijay. The next was Yaanai an action drama film written and directed by Hari. [26] The next was released a Web Series Tamil Rockerz [27] and later Sinam an investigative whodunit thriller in which Arun Vijay plays a cop. [28] In 2024, A. L. Vijay's Mission: Chapter 1 was released in theatres on January 12. Arun Vijay will be seen in Bala's Vanangaan (2025) next. [29]
In 2006, Arun Vijay married Aarathi, daughter of film producer Dr. N. S. Mohan [30] with whom he has a daughter, Purvi and a son, Arnav Vijay. In 2010, Arun Vijay's eldest sister Kavitha's daughter Hasini married N. S. Mohan's son Hemanth, who is a co-producer of Feather Touch Entertainments and also acted alongside Arun Vijay in Malai Malai . [31] Arun Vijay's Hometown is Pattukkottai in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. [32]
All films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.
Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1995 | Murai Mappillai | Raja | Debut film | [33] |
1996 | Priyam | Arimath | ||
1997 | Kathirunda Kadhal | Mayilsamy | ||
Ganga Gowri | Shiva | |||
1998 | Thulli Thirintha Kalam | Ashok | ||
2000 | Kannaal Pesavaa | Arun | ||
Anbudan | Sathya | [34] | ||
2001 | Pandavar Bhoomi | Tamizharasan | [35] | |
2002 | Mutham | Bharath | [36] | |
2003 | Iyarkai | Mukundan | Cameo appearance | [37] |
2004 | Jananam | Surya | [38] | |
2006 | Azhagai Irukkirai Bayamai Irukkirathu | Prem | [39] | |
2007 | Thavam | Subramaniam | [40] | |
2008 | Vedha | Vijay | [41] | |
2009 | Malai Malai | Vetrivel | [42] | |
2010 | Thunichal | Shiva | ||
Maanja Velu | Velu | [43] | ||
2012 | Thadaiyara Thaakka | Selva | Also singer for "Poondamalli Thaan" | [44] |
2015 | Vaa Deal | Vetrivel | Unreleased Film | [45] |
Yennai Arindhaal | Victor Manoharan | [46] | ||
Bruce Lee – The Fighter | Deepak Raj | Telugu film | [47] | |
2016 | Chakravyuha | Omkaar | Kannada film | [48] |
2017 | Kuttram 23 | ACP Vetrimaaran | [49] | |
2018 | Chekka Chivantha Vaanam | Thyagarajan "Thyagu" Senapathi | [50] | |
2019 | Thadam | Ezhil, Kavin | 25th Film; Dual role | [51] |
Saaho | Vishwank Roy / Iqbal | Telugu / Hindi film | [52] | |
2020 | Mafia: Chapter 1 | Aryan, Dileep "Dexter" | [53] | |
2022 | Oh My Dog | Shankar | [54] | |
Yaanai | Ravichandran | [26] | ||
Sinam | Inspector Paari Venkat | Also playback singer | [55] | |
2024 | Mission: Chapter 1 | Gunasekhar aka Guna | [56] | |
2025 | Vanangaan | Koti | [57] | |
TBA | Retta Thala † | TBA | Post-production | [58] |
TBA | Agni Siragugal | TBA | Delayed | [59] |
TBA | Borrder | TBA | Delayed | [60] |
Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Tamil Rockerz | Rudhra IPS | SonyLIV | [61] |
Year | Title | Role | Dub-over voice for whom | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Aladdin | Hakim | Numan Acar | [62] |
| ||||||||
Totals [a] | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wins | 5 | |||||||
Nominations | 5 | |||||||
Note
|
Year | Award | Category | Film | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Supporting Actor – Tamil | Yennai Arindhaal | Nominated | |
Edison Awards | Best Villain | Won | |||
Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards | Best Villain | Won | |||
South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actor in a Negative Role | Won | |||
2017 | Chakravyuha | Nominated |
Pandavar Bhoomi is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language drama film, written and directed by Cheran. The film stars Arun Vijay, Shamitha and Rajkiran. While Vinu Chakravarthy and Mukesh Tiwari played the antagonists, Chandrasekhar, Ranjith, Manorama and Charle played supporting roles. The film, released on 21 September 2001, won the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil (Cheran), and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Second Best Film.
Azhagai Irukkirai Bayamai Irukkirathu also known by the initialism AIBI, is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written, directed and photographed by S. D. Vijay Milton, in his directorial debut. It stars Bharath and Mallika Kapoor with Arun Vijay, Deepu, Renuka and M. S. Bhaskar in vital supporting roles. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. The film, inspired by the 1997 American film Addicted to Love, was released on 14 April 2006. The story tells a love relationship between two playful youngsters and their sacrifices.
Panchaksharam Rangasamy Pillai, known professionally as Vijayakumar, is an Indian actor who works in Tamil cinema. He started his film career in the Tamil film Sri Valli (1961) as a child actor and started playing a lead role from the movie Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974) then he worked in Madhura Geetham (1977) and Azhage Unnai Aarathikkiren (1979). He has also acted in Telugu and Malayalam movies. He also worked in television serials like Thangam, Vamsam, Talambralu, Nandini and Rasaathi. His son is actor Arun Vijay.
Anbudan is a 2000 Tamil language romantic drama film written and directed by T. Indrakumar and starring Arun Vijay and Rambha. It was released on 15 November 2000.
Jananam (transl. Birth) is a 2004 Tamil language action drama film directed by Ramesh Selvan. The film stars Arun Vijay and Priyanka Trivedi in lead roles, while Ashish Vidyarthi, Raghuvaran, Nassar, Vadivelu, and Charle play supporting roles. The music was composed by Bharadwaj. The film was launched in 2002, but got delayed and was released in 2004.
A. Venkatesh is an Indian film director and actor working in Tamil cinema. Beginning his career as an assistant, he directed his first film, Mahaprabhu, in 1996.
Malai Malai is a 2009 Indian Tamil-language masala film written and directed by A. Venkatesh. The film stars Arun Vijay, Prabhu, Vedhika, and Kasthuri in lead roles, while Prakash Raj, Santhanam, Ganja Karuppu, Vijayakumar, and S. N. Lakshmi play supporting roles. The music was composed by Mani Sharma with editing by V. T. Vijayan. The film released on 31 July 2009 and became a commercial success.
Snehan is the 1st executive committee member of Makkal Needhi Maiam party. In the year 2018 he entered politics with Makkal Needhi Maiam and contested in the Lok Sabha election. In 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, he contested on behalf of Makkal Needhi Maiam as a candidate for Virugambakkam Constituency. Born as the eighth son in a farmer family with 6 elder brothers and 1 elder sister, Snehan, a qualified Intermediate teacher, started to write songs in the year 2000. After serving as an assistant to poet Vairamuthu, he began working as a lyricist in the film Putham Pudhiya Poove and has written lyrics for more than 2500 songs and has worked in more than 750 films. Snehan has since also appeared in films as an actor and made his acting debut with Yogi (2009).
Maanja Velu is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language masala film directed by A. Venkatesh. It stars Arun Vijay, Karthik, Prabhu and Dhansika, with Vijayakumar and Riyaz Khan playing supporting roles and Santhanam and Ganja Karuppu providing comical relief.
Thadaiyara Thaakka is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by Magizh Thirumeni. The film stars Arun Vijay and Mamta Mohandas, with Rakul Preet Singh, Maha Gandhi and Vamsi Krishna in supporting roles. The title is derived from the devotional song Kanda Shasti Kavasam.
Parvati Venugopal Nair is an Indian model and actress who works in the South Indian film industry. Born into a Malayali family in Abu Dhabi, she trained as a software professional from Manipal Institute of Technology. She started modelling at the age of 15.
Magizh Thirumeni is an Indian film director, screenwriter, dubbing artist and actor who predominantly works in Tamil language films. After working as an assistant to directors, Selvaraghavan and Gautham Vasudev Menon, he directed five films, including the action thrillers Mundhinam Paartheney (2010), Thadaiyara Thaakka (2012), Meaghamann (2013), Thadam (2019) and Kalaga Thalaivan (2022). He is currently working with Ajith Kumar for Vidaamuyarchi (2025).
Aarthi, also known as Harathi is an Indian actress, comedian and television host who works in Tamil films and television dramas. She initially worked as a child artist in the late 1990s, she also appeared in stand-up comedy shows namely Super10 and Lollu Sabha, before joining the Tamil film industry, she has played roles in Giri (2004), Padikkadavan (2009) and Kutty (2010).
Abdul Majith is an Indian film director, producer screenwriter who has worked on Tamil films. He made his directorial debut with the 2002 social drama film, Thamizhan starring Vijay and Priyanka Chopra. He has since worked on lower budget ventures.
Singamuthu is an Indian actor who has appeared in Tamil language films as a comedian.
Kuttram 23 is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by Arivazhagan. Themed on medical crimes, the film stars Arun Vijay and Mahima Nambiar, with Vamsi Krishna, Aravind Akash, Amit Bhargav, Abhinaya, and Thambi Ramaiah, amongst others, in supporting roles. Produced by Inder Kumar along with Arun Vijay, the soundtrack album and background score for the film were composed by Vishal Chandrasekhar. The film was released worldwide on 3 March 2017 and was a super hit at the box office.
Thadam (transl. Trail) is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film written and directed by Magizh Thirumeni. Produced by Inder Kumar, the film stars Arun Vijay in a dual role along with Vidya Pradeep, Tanya Hope, and Smruthi Venkat. The music was composed by Arun Raj, with cinematography by Gopinath and editing by N. B. Srikanth. In the film, police officers try to solve a murder case involving lookalike suspects arrested on the basis of a pictorial evidence.
Chekka Chivantha Vaanam is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language crime drama film directed by Mani Ratnam, co-written with Siva Ananth. Produced by Mani Ratnam under the banner Madras Talkies, along with Lyca Productions, the film features an ensemble cast including Aravind Swami, Arun Vijay, Silambarasan and Vijay Sethupathi in the lead roles along with Prakash Raj, Jyothika, Aishwarya Rajesh, Aditi Rao Hydari, Dayana Erappa, Jayasudha, Thyagarajan and Mansoor Ali Khan.
Smruthi Venkat is an Indian actress who appears predominantly in Tamil language films. Aside from a brief role in Indru Netru Naalai (2015), she made her acting debut with commercially success film Thadam which was released in 2019.
Yaanai (transl. Elephant) is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by Hari and produced by Vedikkaranpatti S. Sakthivel under the banner of Drumsticks Productions. The film stars Arun Vijay, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Ramachandra Raju, Samuthirakani, Rajesh, Radhika Sarathkumar, Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran, Ammu Abhirami, Yogi Babu and Pugazh. The soundtrack and background score were composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Gopinath and Anthony.