Vijay Antony

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Vijay Antony
Vijayantony.jpj.jpg
Born
Frances Antony Cyril Raja

(1975-07-24) 24 July 1975 (age 49)
Nationality Indian
Occupations
  • Music composer
  • playback singer
  • actor
  • film editor
  • lyricist
  • audio engineer
  • film producer
  • director
  • dubbing artist
Relatives Samuel Vedanayagam Pillai (great-grand father)

Frances Antony Cyril Raja (born 24 July 1975) known professionally as Vijay Antony, [1] is an Indian music composer, playback singer, actor, film editor, lyricist, audio engineer, and filmmaker working predominantly in Tamil cinema.

Contents

He made his debut as music composer in 2005 with Sukran . He made his acting debut in 2012 Naan and is known for his roles in action thriller films such as Salim (2014) and Pichaikkaran (2016). [2]

Early life

Vijay Antony was born in Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District. [3] When he entered the media and film industry, he had picked Agni as his stage name, but this was changed to Vijay by director S. A. Chandrasekhar who had commented that Agni was not lucky.

Antony was brought up by his mother after his father committed suicide when Antony was 7. He is not a trained musician, but started his career as a sound engineer and later became a music composer. After completing his tertiary education, he established an audio studio called Audio Infotainment and worked there as a sound engineer. In his early days as a music composer, he composed jingles for advertisements, and notable background scores for television shows by conducting research on sound engineering. [4] His music composing venture in movies arrived when Oscar Ravichandran approached Antony to compose music for his film Dishyum , but his music composer debut in movies happened through Sukran , as it was released first.

Career

Composing

Vijay Antony started his composing career with the 2005 film Sukran . [5] He was nominated for his score in the film Naan Avan Illai (2007).

Antony's songs for the 2008 film Kadhalil Vizhunthen became hits, especially the dappan koothu number Nakka Mukka . [6] He became the first Indian music director to win a Cannes Golden Lion award, for "Nakka Mukka" (for The Times of India ) in the Best of Music category. [7] The song was later played at the 2011 Cricket World Cup. [8]

Antony composed the music to a few Tamil soundtracks in 2009, including A Aa E Ee , TN 07 AL 4777 , Mariyadhai , Ninaithale Inikkum , and Vettaikaaran .

Antony had composed music for many Tamil films of the early 2010s, including Aval Peyar Thamizharasi , Uthama Puthiran , Vedi , and Velayudham .

Antony made his Telugu composing debut with Mahatma (2009) and his Kannada composing debut with Buddhivantha (2007). [9] [10]

Antony has composed music for most of his own acting films, including Naan (2012), Salim (2014), Pichaikkaran (2016), Saithan (2016), Yaman (2017), Annadurai (2017), Kaali (2018), Thimiru Pudichavan (2019) and Pichaikkaran 2 (2023).

Acting

Vijay Antony and Arjun at the Kolaigaran Press Meet Vijay Antony and Arjun at the 'Kolaigaran' Press Meet.jpg
Vijay Antony and Arjun at the Kolaigaran Press Meet

Vijay Antony's acting debut was in the crime thriller Naan where he played the lead role. [11] The film's standalone sequel titled Salim , an action thriller, was his next project as an actor, for which he also composed music. [12]

In 2015, he starred in the romantic comedy India Pakistan , his first acting film for which he was not the music director. [13] In 2016, he chose to star in the action thriller Pichaikkaran (2016), collaborating with his Dishyum director Sasi. [14] It became a commercial success, with overall collections nearing 40 Crore. [15] The Telugu dub Bichagadu was a bigger success than the original. [16] His next was Saithan , an action thriller directed by debutant Pradeep Krishnamoorthy. [17]

He appeared in the 2017 political action thriller Yaman directed by Jeeva Shankar, whom he collaborated with for the second time after Naan. The film released to positive reviews. [18] His next film Annadurai in the same year was an action drama which received mixed reviews. [19] In 2018, he starred in Kaali , a period action film directed by Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi and Thimiru Pudichavan , an action film directed by Ganeshaa. [20] [21] In 2019, he starred in Kolaigaran , an action thriller directed by Andrew Louis [22] and co-starring Arjun. [23] The film opened to highly positive reviews. [24]

Antony made his directorial debut with Pichaikkaran 2 in 2023. [25] In 2024, Vijay Antony plays the lead role of a romantic hero in Romeo . [26]

Personal life

Antony is married to Fatima Vijay Antony, and they had two daughters, Meera and Lara. Meera, the elder daughter, committed suicide on 19 September 2023 at the age of 16 at their home in Chennai. [27] [28] For his films produced by Vijay Antony Film Corporation, Fatima was credited as the producer except for Romeo (2024), for which Meera was credited as the producer. [29] [30]

Antony has a well-known great-grandfather, Samuel Vedanayagam Pillai, who was a Tamil poet, novelist, and social worker and is remembered for his authorship of Prathapa Mudaliar Charithram , recognized as the "first modern Tamil novel." Vedanayagam's ideals of women's liberation and education are reflected in this novel.

Filmography

Actor

YearFilmRole(s)Notes
2006 Kizhakku Kadalkarai Salai LecturerCameo Appearance
2009 TN 07 AL 4777 HimselfSpecial Appearance in "Aathichudi" song
2012 Naan Karthik
2014 Salim Dr. Mohammed Salim
2015 India Pakistan Adv. Karthik
2016 Pichaikkaran Arul Selva Kumar
Nambiar HimselfSpecial Appearance in "Aara Amara" song
Saithan Dinesh & Sharma dual role
2017 Yaman Thamizharasan (Yaman) & Arivudainambi dual role
Mupparimanam HimselfSpecial Appearance in "Let's Go Party" song
Annadurai Annadurai & Thambidurai dual role
2018 Kaali Kaali (Bharath), Young Periyasamy (Samy), Young Maari,& Young John Quadruple Roles
Traffic Ramasamy HimselfCameo Appearance
Thimiru Pudichavan Inspector Murugavel
2019 Kolaigaran Prabhakaran IPS
2021 Kodiyil Oruvan Vijaya Raghavan
2023 Tamilarasan Inspector Tamilarasan
Pichaikkaran 2 Vijay Gurumoorthy & Sathya dual role Also Director
Kolai Vinayak
Raththam Ranjith Kumar
2024 Romeo Arivazhagan
Mazhai Pidikkatha Manithan Salim/2223/Antony [31]
Hitler Selva [32]
2025Gagana MaarganPre-production [33]

Editor

YearFilm
2017 Annadurai
2018 Thimiru Pudichavan
2021 Kodiyil Oruvan
2023 Pichaikkaran 2
2024 Romeo

Director

Discography

Music director

Year Tamil Other languagesNotes
2005 Sukran
2006 Dishyum
Iruvar Mattum
2007 Naan Avanillai Buddhivantha (Kannada)Nominated, Filmfare Best Music Director Award (Tamil)
Background Score by D. Imman
Ninaithale
2008Pasumpon Thevar VaralaruDocumentary film
Pandhayam
Kadhalil Vizhunthen Nominated, Filmfare Best Music Director Award (Tamil)

Cannes Golden Lion Award for Best Commercial Music (Nakka Mukka) [34]

''Nakka Mukka'' Song was played at the 2011 Cricket World Cup

2009 A Aa E Ee
TN 07 AL 4777 Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Music Director

Nominated, Vijay Award for Favourite Song

Mariyadhai
Ninaithale Inikkum Nominated, Filmfare Best Music Director Award (Tamil)
Mahatma (Telugu)Reused songs from Dishyum, Kadhalil Vizhunthen and Naan Avanillai
Vettaikaaran Winner, Vijay Award for Favourite Song  – Chinna Thamarai
Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Music Director
2010 Rasikkum Seemane
Aval Peyar Thamizharasi
Angadi Theru 2 Songs
Kanagavel Kaaka
Uthama Puthiran
2011 Sattapadi Kutram
Yuvan Yuvathi
Vedi
Velayudham
2012 Naan Asthitva (Kannada)Nominated, 2nd South Indian International Movie Awards For Best Music Director
Daruvu (Telugu)Reused songs from TN 07 AL 4777, Ninaithale Inikkum, Vettaikaaran , and Uthamaputhiran
Sattam Oru Iruttarai
2013 Haridas
Madha Gaja Raja Unreleased
2014 Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam 1 song ("A for Azhagirukku")
Salim
2015 Aavi Kumar
2016 Pichaikkaran
Nambiyaar
Saithan
2017 Yaman
Annadurai
2018 Kaali
Thimiru Pudichavan
2021 Iruvar Ullam
2023 Pichaikkaran 2
2024 Mazhai Pidikkatha Manithan 1 song ("Ivan Yaaro")

Lyricist

Television

Judge

YearTitleRoleLanguageNetwork(s)Ref
2024-present Mahanadigai Judge Tamil Zee Tamil [35]

Related Research Articles

<i>Sukran</i> 2005 Indian film

Sukran is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written, produced and directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar. The film stars Vijay in an extended cameo in the titular lead role, with Ravi Krishna and Anita Hassanandani. The music was composed by debutant Vijay Antony with the score composed by Pravin Mani.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nakkhul</span> Indian actor and playback singer (born 1984)

Nakkhul Jaidev is an Indian actor and playback singer who works in Tamil cinema. He debuted as one of the lead actors in the 2003 film Boys directed by S. Shankar. He sang his first song in the soundtrack album for Anniyan (2005).

<i>Kadhalil Vizhunthen</i> 2008 Indian film

Kadhalil Vizhunthen is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language romantic psychological thriller film written and directed by P. V. Prasath starring Nakul and Sunaina. The film has music by Vijay Antony, cinematography by S.D. Vijay Milton, and editing by V. T. Vijayan. The shooting for the film started in August 2007, and the film was released in September 2008 to positive reviews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sasi (director)</span> Indian Film Director

Sasidharan known as Sasi is an Indian film director and screenwriter working primarily in Tamil cinema. He made his directorial debut with Sollamale in 1998, followed by a series of successful romance films like Roja Kootam (2002), Dishyum (2006), and Poo (2008). His first action film was Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu (2013), followed by Pichaikkaran (2016) and Sivappu Manjal Pachai (2019)

<i>Mahatma</i> (film) 2009 Indian film

Mahatma is a 2009 Indian Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Krishna Vamsi. This film stars Srikanth and Bhavana. The music was composed by Vijay Antony with cinematography by Sharat and editing by Gautham Raju. The film was to release on 2 October, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. Due to censor issues, the film's release was postponed by a week to 9 October 2009. The film was dubbed in Tamil as Puthiya Thalapathy and in Hindi as Ek Aur Mahanayak in 2009. The film won four Nandi Awards. The film was a box office success.

<i>Naan</i> (2012 film) 2012 film by Jeeva Shankar

Naan is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film written and directed by Jeeva Shankar in his directorial debut. Composer Vijay Antony plays the lead role of a psychopathic killer; he also produced the film and worked as the music director. Siddharth Venugopal and Rupa Manjari appeared in supporting roles. The filming of Naan began in October 2011, and the film was released on 15 August 2012. The movie was remade in Bengali in 2015 as Amanush 2 and in Kannada in 2016 as Asthitva. The film was followed by a sequel titled Salim, an action thriller that released in 2014. The plot of the film is loosely based on 1999 American film The Talented Mr. Ripley.

C. S. Amudhan is an Indian film director, screenwriter and lyricist from the Tamil film industry.

<i>Salim</i> (film) 2014 Indian film

Salim is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by N. V. Nirmal Kumar. It stars Vijay Antony and Aksha Pardasany. Produced by Studio 9, Sri Green Productions and Vijay Antony Film Corporation, the film serves as a direct sequel to Vijay Antony's debut film Naan (2012). The film was released on 29 August 2014. It got positive reviews from critics and became a commercial success.

<i>Naan Sigappu Manithan</i> (2014 film) 2014 Indian Tamil-language action film

Naan Sigappu Manithan is a 2014 Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Thiru and produced by UTV Motion Pictures. Co-produced by Vishal, the film stars himself in the leading role with Lakshmi Menon and Ineya in supporting roles, while G. V. Prakash Kumar composed the film's music. The film deals with narcolepsy. It was released on 11 April 2014, and was declared a commercial success. The film opened to positive reviews from critics, many praising Vishal's performances, screenplay, fast-paced narration, while some criticized its second half, which was apparently vulgar to them.

Richard M. Nathan is an Indian cinematographer, who works in the Tamil film industry.

<i>Pichaikkaran</i> 2016 Indian film

Pichaikkaaran (transl. Beggar) is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by Sasi, produced by Fatima Vijay Antony and starring Vijay Antony and Satna Titus, Bagavathi Perumal, Vazhakku En Muthuraman, and Dheepa Ramanujam. Antony also composed the music for the film. The story is about Arul, a billionaire businessman who leads a 48-day long secret life as a beggar as part of a religious offering to save his hopeless dying mother.

<i>Yaman</i> (film) 2017 Indian film

Yaman is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language political action thriller film written and directed by Jeeva Shankar. Co-produced by Lyca Productions and Vijay Antony Film Corporation, the film stars Vijay Antony in a dual role as father and son, alongside Miya, while Thiagarajan portrays another pivotal character. The film, which features Jeeva Shankar and Vijay Antony doubling up as the cinematographer and the music composer respectively, was released. The movie was a commercial success.

<i>Saithan</i> 2016 Indian film

Saithan (transl. Demon) is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language psychological action thriller film written and directed by Pradeep Krishnamoorthy. The film stars Vijay Antony in a dual role as father and son with Arundhati Nair, Charuhasan, Y. G. Mahendra, Siddhartha Shankar and Kitty amongst others forming the secondary cast. Based on the novel Aaah! by Sujatha, it revolves around a software engineer who gets into trouble after he starts hearing strange voices asking him to kill a woman named Jayalakshmi. The film was released theatrically on 1 December 2016.

Satna Titus is an Indian actress who works in the Tamil and Telugu film industries. She made her debut in the Tamil film Pichaikkaran (2016).

<i>Annadurai</i> (film) 2017 Indian film

Annadurai is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by G. Srinivasan. The film stars Vijay Antony in a dual role as identical twin brothers along with Diana Champika, Mahima, and Jewel Mary, while Radha Ravi and Kaali Venkat play supporting roles. Vijay Antony also composed music for the film and also served as the film editor for the first time in his career. Produced by Fatima Vijay Antony and Radhika, the film began production during February 2017 and was released on 30 November 2017.

Sai Dheena is an Indian actor who has appeared in Tamil language films, playing antagonistic and sometimes comedic roles. He played the antagonist in Attu (2017), Thimiru Pudichavan (2018) and Vaandu (2019). He is a frequent collaborator with Atlee.

<i>Thimiru Pudichavan</i> 2018 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by Ganeshaa

Thimiru Pudichavan is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by Ganeshaa. It features Vijay Antony, Nivetha Pethuraj and Sai Dheena in the lead roles. The film is produced by Fatima Vijay Antony under the production banner Vijay Antony Film Corporation.

<i>Kolaigaran</i> 2019 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film

Kolaigaran (transl. Killer) is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Andrew Louis. The film stars Arjun Sarja, Vijay Antony and Ashima Narwal, while Nassar and Seetha play supporting roles. The music was scored by Simon K. King. Principal photography of the film commenced on 5 June 2018. The film follows an investigation in which a woman and her mother are suspected of murder after a disfigured corpse is found, while their neighbour claims to have committed it instead, much to the surprise of cops. The film was released theatrically on 7 June 2019. It opened to positive reviews and became a super hit at the box office.

<i>Tamilarasan</i> 2023 Indian Tamil action film by Babu Yogeswaran

Tamilarasan is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by Babu Yogeswaran and produced by SNS Production Company. The film stars Suresh Gopi, Vijay Antony and Sonu Sood. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. It is an official adaptation of the 2002 American film John Q.

<i>Pichaikkaran 2</i> 2023 Indian action thriller film

Pichaikkaran 2 also known as Pichaikkaran 2: Anti Bikili is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language science fiction action film written and directed by Vijay Antony in his directorial debut. The film stars Antony in a dual role, alongside an ensemble cast of Kavya Thapar, Radha Ravi, Yogi Babu, Hareesh Peradi, Dev Gill, John Vijay, Y. G. Mahendran and Mansoor Ali Khan. It is a standalone sequel to the 2016 film Pichaikkaran.

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